After being diagnosed with brain cancer, Ahmed Juma missed a lot of his first-grade year. Following a months-long battle with the disease, the 7-year-old returned to his Lowell, Massachusetts school to resume classes this week. But, it wasn't just a regular back to school day, according to the Lowell Sun.

Juma was treated to a hero's welcome featuring police officers, firefighters, health care workers and his fellow classmates. As part of a full police motorcade, Juma rode to Murkland Elementary School in style in a police cruiser, driven by Captain Timothy Crowley.

"We wanted to do something special for him," noted Crowley.

"Welcome back Ahmed," shouted the group of supporters, which totaled over a hundred.

"He's a little shy but very excited," said his mother, Elizabeth Nyana.

In 2014, Nyana fled the Congo War with her sons Ahmed and 3-year-old Salim. After spending some time in a refugee camp in Uganda, the family found asylum in the United States. The boys' father is still in Uganda, and Nyana is currently working with Representative Niki Tsongas to bring him to the States as well.

Lowell Community Health Center's Metta Health Center's — where Juma is a patient — Lorna Kiplagat first asked the Lowell police if they could provide a cruiser for Juma once he was cleared to return to school.

"But then it blossomed into this beautiful thing where the police department and fire department got involved and the school got excited and it became a community activity," said Clare Gunther, chief development and communications officer for Lowell Community Health Center's Metta Health Center.

Along with the loving surprise, Juma is simply happy to be back in school. "He loves school so much," Nyana said. "He's happy."

You can check out the heartwarming video of Juma's hero welcome below! Bring tissues.

hero's welcome

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