Last weekend, Alex’s Army had the honor of helping to plan an End of Treatment Celebration (social distance style) for a special young man and his family. With the help of MANY amazing people in the community, Quinn & his family were showered with an unforgettable day!
Thanks to the help of our friends at Team Mathias and the wonderful people over at Ashburn Volunteer Fire Rescue Department – the awesome siren and horn welcomed Quinn and his family as they arrived and made their way around the parking lot which was filled with Team Quinn Gorman friends, family, childhood cancer non-profits like Team Mathias, Stillbrave, Ellie’s Hats, and several other childhood cancer families who all were there in support and to shower the Gorman family with LOVE!!!
Thanks to the wonderful people with the The 501st Legion, Quinn – who mom Nikki says is a Mandalorian fan – was welcomed also by none other than Chewbacca, the Imperial Guard, & Mandalorian! Not only that, but a few other awesome storm troopers stopped by Quinn’s home to pose in front of his End of Treatment sign his family had and left him a book to let Quinn know they were there!
Quinn got to meet his Principal, his Dean, and a few other staff in person for the first time since school has been virtual. The staff at Belmont Ridge Middle School were so wonderful in coordinating the location for the celebration on such short notice and helped with balloons, music, and the bullhorn (which came in handy being so spread out although we definitely needed practice in using one – should have had Tom take the reigns on that one!)
The day was made even more memorable by our friends, the self-proclaimed “Glory Hounds” who made a surprise appearance and decorated the clear blue skies over Quinn and his family! There were tears and applause throughout the entire group as a heart was made complete through the talents of local Leesburg area pilots Jim and Mark who not only made a heart, but a smiley face, and finished with a few low-flying passes over the group to help make Quinn’s day extra special! A special Alex’s Army shout-out to the Potomac Tracon and Leesburg Executive Airport Tower staff who worked quickly together to get Jim and Mark airborne once they heard the purpose behind the two flights departing for Quinn’s celebration. Mark shared that there were some delays due to heavy air traffic in the area but the moment he shared with the controllers what their flight mission was everyone came together quickly to help make it happen!
Finally, when the Gorman family arrived home there were a few more surprises in store like a moon bounce for Quinn & his sisters to enjoy with the help of our friends at AMUSEMENT OF BOUNCERS as well as a few small gifts from Alex’s Army to keep the celebration going!Days like these are so incredibly special. I don’t think there are many things more special than getting to witness a child and their family who you’ve watched go through some incredibly tough things, finally get to celebrate finishing treatment! The Gorman family is one of the sweetest families you could have the pleasure of meeting and Quinn’s kind smile despite being in the hospital always touched our hearts. Thank you Nikki and Gorman family for allowing us to help in this celebration of Quinn’s End of Treatment! Thank you to all of Team Quinn Gorman who showed up and showered this sweet boy with a welcome home and celebration that he will never forget.
Alex’s Army please keep Quinn and his family in your prayers for continued healing, good health, and to remain cancer-free forever!
Quinn and Gorman family – you are loved!