‘He truly is a special individual’: 8-year-old battling brain cancer returns to school in a fire truck

HAMPDEN, Maine (WABI/Gray News) - A boy in Maine battling brain cancer was honored by being driven to school on a fire truck.

On Monday morning, a caravan of fire trucks made their way to Earl Mcgraw Elementary School in Hampden as they escorted 8-year-old Colby Annis to class.

Hampden Fire Department Lt. Chris Leopold said the firefighters wanted to bring the brave second-grader to school.

“He really deserves a hero’s welcome to school,” he said. “This is only for special individuals, and he truly is a special individual.”

In March, Colby was diagnosed with a very advanced and aggressive form of brain cancer. For the last two months, he spent his time undergoing radiation and chemotherapy in Boston.

“This is my first day back to school in two months,” he said. “I had a brain tumor.”

Cindy Annis, Colby’s legal guardian, said he had been looking forward to getting better and going back to school

“Every night since he’s had this tumor, he’s told the tumor, ‘Tumor, get out of my head. I’m in charge, I don’t want you here, I want to get back to school, I want to see my friends. And you’re bugging me,’” she said.

On Monday, Colby hopped aboard the fire department’s ladder truck. After he was buckled in, he was equipped with a headset and instructions on how to operate the horns, bells and whistles.

As the caravan approached the school, Colby was met by a large crowd of students, teachers and staff gathered outside. Many were holding “Welcome Back, Colby” signs and chanting his name.

“I think they’re all here for you dude,” Leopold told Colby.

When the truck parked, Colby exited the vehicle and was greeted with high-fives from his classmates.

Colby’s teacher said the class started a countdown for when Colby would return to school.

“He knows that the people out there love him, they’re praying for him and they’re hoping for the best,” Annis said.

A GoFundMe page has been set up to help pay for Colby’s medical expenses.