BENTON COUNTY, ARKANSAS, Ark. — A Northwest Arkansas community came together to give a little boy a very special welcome when he returned home from the hospital.
6-year-old Hudson Akins was diagnosed with aggressive brain cancer and had to undergo surgery earlier this month.
Hudson began showing symptoms of his cancer in early January, and on April 1, he had to be taken to the emergency room in Springdale, where a CT scan revealed a brain tumor. He was then taken to the Arkansas Children's Hospital in Little Rock, where he underwent surgery on April 5.
After 11 hours in surgery, doctors were only able to remove 95% of the tumor, as it was bleeding into his brain stem and wrapped around a major artery in his brain. Hudson was diagnosed with anaplastic ependymoma, the most aggressive type of ependymoma cancer.
"Our world was rocked, and our hearts were shattered," said his mother, Lacee Akins.
6-year-old Gentry boy battles brain cancer
When Hudson came home from the hospital on April 11, family and friends joined Benton County and Gentry first responders to give him a heartwarming homecoming parade.
Hudson smiled and waved the entire time and to every single car.
Lacee said the parade was overwhelming in the best possible way and that although they are walking through the most heartbreaking path, it was uplifting to see how much their community loves and supports them.
"We can tell Hudson over and over again that people love him and are praying for him, but it doesn’t quite do it justice like seeing it in front of his face like it was Sunday afternoon," she said.
Benton County Sheriff's Office, Gentry Police, Gentry Fire Department, Northwest Health, Carrol Electric and Huffman trucking were all there to show Hudson love and support when he came home.
Benton County Sheriff's Office said, "We wanted to make Hudson’s homecoming extra special as he recovers from home and begins ongoing treatment. It is very heartwarming to see the community come together and support Hudson and his family during this difficult time."
Hudson's homecoming parade
Hudson will soon begin chemotherapy treatments, so his family is enjoying doing some of his favorite things with him as they prepare for the journey ahead.
"We actually had his first baseball practice of the season a few days before his tumor was found," Lacee said. "We were looking forward to games and watching him play, but now chemo and radiation are in our future."
Hudson's mom said he loves fishing, soccer and baseball.
"Honestly, no one ever thinks or expects it to happen to you or your own child. It’s always something that you read about or cry when you see another family going through it," said Lacee. "I would never wish this helplessness on any mama. But we are staying strong and we know Hudson will beat cancer! Our hashtag is #HudsonStrong."
Despite his diagnosis, Hudson has kept his spirits high and doing very well, considering he only had surgery about a week ago.
Hudson said, "Brain surgery was the easy part, and taking off the bandaids was the hard part."
A fundraiser has been set up to help the family with expenses. To donate, please click here.
WATCH: Hudson's Homecoming Parade