Suffolk Boy, 7, Gets Surprise Celebration For 'Last Day Of Chemo'

HAUPPAUGE, NY — Ryan Starace, 7, of Hauppauge, underwent his final chemotherapy treatment this past weekend. This marked the end of a battle Ryan has fought since he was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia at the age of 4, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society said in a news release.

Ryan was surprised with a massive drive-by celebration featuring nearly 100 cars driven by friends and family, fire engines from the Smithtown Fire Department, postal trucks, exotic cars and more at his home on Saturday.

Video courtesy Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

The event was a surprise for the entire Starace family, including his mother, Nicole, father, Jim and brother, Luke. The family watched the parade from their front lawn. Lawn signs organized by friends and family read "HOPE," "TEAM RYAN," and "NOBODY FIGHTS ALONE," a slogan developed during Ryan’s cancer treatment.

"When your 4-year-old child is diagnosed with cancer, you never think there is light at the end of the tunnel," Nicole Starace told Patch in an email. "Three-and-a-half years after his diagnosis, we have seen the light and have reached a milestone we never thought possible. Ryan took his last dose of chemo on May 9, and we couldn't be happier about that moment!!! He is happy and healthy, and we couldn't ask for anything more. We couldn't have gotten through all this without the outpouring of love and support from our family, friends and community. It truly takes a village, and our family has the best village!"

The dream-come-true experience was made possible by the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, located in Melville, which helped the Starace family through the three-year cancer battle. Ryan was chosen as the annual Leukemia & Lymphoma Society "Boy of the Year" in 2020, which honors children whose cancer journey has been inspiring to others.

Video courtesy Leukemia & Lymphoma Society