By Melanie Petrucci, Senior Community Reporter
Shrewsbury – Parades featuring first responders and vehicles festively decorated to celebrate a child’s birthday are becoming more common, thanks to the kindness of many who wish to make the age of social distancing due to the coronavirus a bit more bearable. But on April 25 it was not a birthday but another important special occasion that brought out Shrewsbury’s finest to celebrate – the final cancer treatment for Suleyman Carleen, a five-year-old boy diagnosed with a particularly aggressive form of brain cancer.
Extended family organized the parade consisting of roughly a dozen cars decorated with balloons and posters of love and encouragement. Two Shrewsbury police cruisers and a fire engine that also took part were a special treat.
The procession drove through the Carleen neighborhood off of Lake Street with the single mission of showing love and support while lifting Suleyman’s spirits.
“Like all five-year-old boys, he’s obsessed with police officers, firefighters and the like,” explained Andrew Carleen, a cousin of Brad Carleen, Suleyman’s father.
Fire Chief James Vuona noted the department was happy to oblige the family’s request.
“We were honored to help and give Suleyman his well-deserved drive by,” added Police Detective Brian Thibodeau.
After emergency surgery to remove the tumor, Suleyman was put on an intensive, experimental form of radiation therapy. His parents, Brad and Sena, drove to Massachusetts General Hospital every morning for the past three months for treatments.
“It was a big process and it was very difficult with the COVID pandemic going on but he got through his treatments and it’s amazing to have everyone’s support,” Brad Carleen said.
Suleyman’s final treatment was scheduled for Monday, April 27 which is indeed something to celebrate.
(Photos/Melanie Petrucci) 
