Alabama Boy a Symbol of Hope - WLTZ 38 | Columbus Georgia Regional News & Community

By Sherrie Evans (WBMA)-

People lined the streets for the annual Mountain Brook Christmas parade with the first round of cheers going to the Grand Marshal.

"He is a symbol of hope. He just came back Tuesday from MD Anderson and they gave him a clean bill of health." 12-year-old Sean Fredella sharing a happy moment with friends after spending the last year battling a rare adult tumor pushing on his brain.

"Recovering has been a bit hard, but other than that, it's been pretty good", Fredella said.

The Mountain Brook Elementary student was diagnosed with Leukemia at age two, was treated and relapsed a couple of times, before getting a bone marrow transplant.  
Things were looking up, until doctors found a new tumor in his sinuses last year.
"He's gone through lots of chemotherapy and two major surgeries and he's doing great."

With the community behind him the whole way. "It's kind of indescribable. It's really different just coming back and knowing everyone is think about you and praying for you."

Bows like this started popping up all over Mountain Brook on mailboxes in front of businesses and the money raised is going towards research.  A family friend came up with the concept called "Sean Strong." The family started getting lots of money for help, so much in fact, Nell Fredella says they decided to use it to help others.

"Now, we have a fund at Children's hospital called the Sean Strong fund and money has been pouring into that and we're going to use it to fund research for pediatric cancer."
Providing a means for other children to also become symbols of hope.
"Just keep on fighting."
"Every day's a gift."