Syracuse Car Parade to Celebrate 6-Year-Old on Halloween

A Syracuse boy recovering from a bone marrow transplant will receive a special Halloween visit from classmates on October 31.

Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Special Needs

Bold vector illustration of a jack-o'-lantern on a porch, evoking the community spirit of a neighborhood celebration. — Classmates and teachers in Syracuse plan a neighborhood car parade on October 31 to celebrate 6-year-old Ace Franklin during his recovery. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Denisha DeLee is organizing a car parade on October 31 to celebrate her 6-year-old son, Ace Franklin, who is currently homebound. Ace, a student at Huntington School, has been recovering at home since his discharge from Strong Memorial Hospital in early October.

Why it matters

The parade offers a way for the young student to celebrate his favorite holiday while remaining safe from infection. Ace is currently immune-compromised following a bone marrow transplant he received in August to treat his CD 40 Ligand deficiency.

Ace Franklin is 6 years old, while his sibling, King DeLee, is 13. Both children are currently navigating health challenges related to CD 40 Ligand deficiency.

The players

Ace Franklin

He is a 6-year-old first-grade student at Huntington School who is recovering from a bone marrow transplant.

Denisha DeLee

She is the mother of Ace Franklin and the primary organizer of the Halloween car parade.

King DeLee

He is a 13-year-old who shares a diagnosis of CD 40 Ligand deficiency with his brother.

Derrick Franklin

He is the father of Ace Franklin and served as the donor for his son's bone marrow transplant.

Huntington School

This is the educational institution where Ace Franklin is a student and from which his classmates are organizing a visit.

The details

Teachers and classmates from Huntington School are scheduled to drive by the home of Ace Franklin to provide him with a celebration. The event is necessary because Ace must remain isolated to protect his health following the bone marrow transplant he underwent in August.

August 2026: Ace Franklin undergoes a bone marrow transplant.
Early October 2026: Ace Franklin is discharged from Strong Memorial Hospital.
October 31, 2026: A car parade is held in Syracuse to celebrate Ace.

Culture Shift

This event reflects the ongoing evolution of community support networks for children with complex medical needs. It highlights how local schools are adapting traditional holiday celebrations to accommodate children following the standard hospital-to-home recovery protocols for pediatric bone marrow transplant recipients.

For residents in the Syracuse area, this event underscores the importance of community support for families navigating post-operative isolation requirements. It serves as a practical reminder of how neighbors can adjust their holiday routines to include children with compromised immune systems.

The takeaway

Organizing a car parade can be a meaningful way to maintain social connections for homebound children. These events allow classmates to show support while strictly adhering to medical isolation requirements.