WESTLAKE, Ohio– Michael Orbany misses going to school, but Tuesday morning he got a chance to visit his class in style: in a limousine, escorted by Westlake police.
“Coming up in the limo, hearing people, hearing the whole school just chant Michael’s name. It just gave me chills,” said Michael’s big brother, Matthew.
St. Bernadette School surprised Michael with an early birthday celebration.
“Today’s fun. It’s awesome,” Michael said.
His actual birthday is June 10 and then he’ll turn 9 years old.
But his classmates couldn’t wait any longer.
Michael has been in and out of the classroom over the past few years because he’s been battling brain cancer.
Doctors found a tumor in Michael’s brain when he was six. The tumor was removed and he appeared to be cancer-free until last summer.
Michael relapsed, and his cancer had spread to his brain and spine.
Debbie Chinchar is Michael’s former first grade teacher. She said the news then, and even now, is devastating.
“It was bittersweet, but all-in-all, I would say it was joyous because we’re here to celebrate Michael’s life,” she said. “He’s been such an inspiration to all of us because he’s put up quite a fight.”
It’s a fight that’s certainly taken a toll on the little boy. He’s often weak and tired from his chemotherapy and radiation treatments.
Michael’s mother, Georgianna Orbany, says while the statistics may not appear in his favor, her son has managed to stay strong.
“He is not giving up, and if there’s one thing that he’s taught all of these people is the new word of NEGU, which is Never Ever Give Up.”
It’s a phrase nearly 400 people chanted as he strolled through the halls and into a celebration with his Northeast Ohio favorites, like Slider from the Cleveland Indians, the St. Edward’s Boys Basketball team and the St. Edwards drum corps Trash Talkers.
“Why I like them? Well, really my dad got me into it,” Michael said, referring to Trash Talkers. “Well, they play on trash cans.”
Hundreds of birthday cards plastered the halls of the school, wishing their pal, who they also dub “Big Mike,” an amazing birthday and a safe return to school.
“What I truly hope for would be a miracle,” said the boy’s third grade teacher, Mary Sue Anders. “That’s what we pray for every day: A miracle for Michael. We hope that we help Michael experience everything he can for as long as he can.”
The Orbanys say the encouragement has helped carry the boy through, and they say with their faith, they believe in all possibilities.
“Every day I just wake up, and whatever I think that I can’t do, I just think that that kid goes through; you can’t even explain it,” Matthew said. “He can conquer everything. He’s my little brother, but I look up to him.”