After weeks in the hospital, Tim Richardson of Cheektowaga is now back home.
Fire trucks from all over Erie County showed up at Oishei Children's Hospital Monday afternoon, to show him their support. Depew's Hy-View Fire Company gave him a ride home in their truck because Tim is an Explorer in their program.
Other fire companies and departments in the area provided a fire truck escort. Some lined up along the route home.
"Just from leaving the city with Buffalo [Fire Department], to coming here with all these fire departments," said Tim. "It's just overwhelming. It's crazy."
Over the past month and a half, recognition and support for this 16 year-old battling leukemia exploded.
While getting treatment at Oishei, Tim made a simple request: He asked that fire companies send him t-shirts, so he could wear a different shirt every day in the hospital, to get him through that trying time.
But he didn't just get responses from local fire companies. He started getting hundreds of packages from all over the world.
And when local fire fighters heard that Tim was well enough to go back home, and would start outpatient care, they decided to show him how much they care - in a big way.
Tim was admittedly floored. Even Tim's dad, a fire fighter with U-Crest, was impressed.
"This is only really reserved for those that retire from the fire service," explained Matthew Richardson.
"This usually isn't like this. I'm not complaining," he added with a laugh. "I'm happy for him. It's kinda cool to see all the support he's getting."
"Very appreciative," Tim's mom, Deana Richardson, tells Channel 2 of the show of support. "Very overwhelming. There's no words to explain it. It brought tears to my eyes."
The Richardson family got the good news over the weekend. They say Tim's white blood cell and hemoglobin counts had improved so that he could come home.
The fact that he's now home is monumental for this family.
"It's so heartbreaking just to see him in that bed and not being able to help. But he's here," said Tim's sister, Michelle, with a relieved smile. "And it was so heartwarming to see all those fire trucks lined up on his way home."
"I can't thank everyone enough," Tim told Channel 2. "I really can't...I really can't."