WATCH: Mike Edman Automotive Car Wash Parade Thrills Child Fighting Rare Form of Cancer

Alex David Pierre is student at Endeavor Elementary School in Cocoa

WATCH: Employees at Erdman Automotive cheered on six-year-old Alex David Pierre, who was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare form of cancer, as he rode around the lot and through the dealership’s car wash. Alex is a student at Endeavor Elementary School in Cocoa.

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Sometimes the simplest things in life can mean the most. For many of us, running our vehicle through a car wash is an afterthought – no big deal, we do it all the time. However, for six-year-old Alex David Pierre, it IS a big deal!

On April 12, 2021, Alex, a student at Endeavor Elementary School in Cocoa, was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare form of cancer.

He has three siblings – two sisters, Kimmy and Ambria and one brother, Ambrose. His father, Ambrose, and mom, April, make up a very special family living in central Brevard County.

It would not be wrong to say that Alex’s best friend is his teacher, Traci Harris, or “Mrs. Traci” as she is called. They have been together since Alex was in pre-kindergarten.

Mrs. Traci would take him home from school occasionally and Alex would give her a hard time about her truck being dirty. He would say “you need to go through a car wash!”

They ran the truck through various car washes in Brevard County, but Alex liked the one at Erdman Automotive in Cocoa the best!

A few weeks ago, an idea was born and Mrs. Traci approached Erdman Automotive Car Wash Manager Jennifer Espinola and asked what the chances were of coordinating a “Car Wash Parade” for Alex.

Espinola thought it was a great idea and then went to Human Resources Director Anna Erdman, and the three of them put the plan into action.

They would make signs, have balloons and do anything they could to make it a big day for Alex. And, of course, they would wash Mrs. Traci’s truck!

On January 18, the parade took place and it came off perfectly. The employees at Erdman Automotive bought in 100 percent and were onsite to cheer Alex on as he rode around the lot and through the car wash.

It was truly a community parade. There were teachers and staff from Endeavor Elementary School attending and cheering on Alex, along with the Cocoa Police Department, Erdman Automotive customers, and many others.

Anna Erdman was thrilled with the company’s participation.

“We are very grateful to all of our staff members and associates that really took Alex, and his story, to heart,” said Erdman. “We made him our ‘little buddy.’”

Espinola said it was a very humbling, beautiful experience.

“Alex is like part of our family,” she said.

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