Welcome home, Brody: Onalaska community celebrates boy’s return from hospital 

Brody Hamilton was cheered on by family members, fellow students, residents, school staff and others on Thursday morning in Onalaska after returning home from Seattle Children’s Hospital where he was being treated for a brain tumor. 

With an escort from Lewis County Fire District 1, Brody rolled down Carlisle Avenue on the tailgate of a pickup truck with his mother, Grace Hamilton, at about 11 a.m. Onalaska students cheered wildly and waved handmade signs of support and encouragement for Brody.

He saw more supportive artwork and spoke with students and staff when he visited the school after the warm reception outside. 

He and his family wore matching shirts that read “FIGHTER, SUPERSTAR, WARRIOR and SURVIVOR. The shirts, along with other apparel, are being sold as part of a fundraiser to support Brody and his family. They can be found at https://tinyurl.com/ynx4ubs6. 

An upcoming event called Walk With Reason will also raise money for the family. The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 13, at the Onalaska High School track. 

The entry fee will be $1 but all donations above and beyond that are welcome. There will also be a raffle with tickets sold for $5 each, earning participants a chance to win local products. All proceeds will be given directly to the family of Brody Hamilton. 

Following months of headaches, a precautionary MRI in March revealed a tumor on Hamilton’s brain. It was determined to be brain cancer. The tumor was successfully removed and, at last report, the family was waiting to learn more about the type of cancer that was found. 

An online crowdfunding campaign had raised $23,000 to assist with the family’s expenses as of Thursday, April 11. To view the campaign or donate, visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/brody-hamilton-overcome-brain-cancer.