Thousands of People Attended a Parade to Cheer Up a Terminally Ill 3-Year-Old Boy with a Disease Known as ‘Butterfly Skin’

Thousands of people came together in Kansas City, Missouri, to lift the spirits of 3-year-old Tucker Langford, who is battling a rare and incurable disease.

Tucker was born with recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB), a painful genetic condition that causes the skin to blister and peel easily, according to local outlets KSHB, KMBC, and the Kansas City Star. Often called “butterfly skin,” the disorder makes skin as fragile as a butterfly’s wings.

After being released from Children’s Mercy Hospital to receive end-of-life hospice care at home, Tucker’s family wanted to give him a special memory. They decided to host a parade outside their house on Saturday, Oct. 11 — and what started as a small neighborhood idea quickly became something much bigger.

When the Kansas City Fire Department’s Station 10 heard about the plan, they put out a call on Facebook:

“To all of our fellow first responders, motorcycle riders, Jeepers, car showers and hot roders! Heads up! We need your help!!”

They explained that Tucker loves “trucks, Jeeps, motorcycles, hot rods and emergency apparatus” and urged the community to show up in support. The post went viral — so much so that organizers had to move the parade to a larger location “due to the overwhelming support and outpouring of interest to participate.”

Tucker’s mom, Chandler Langford, said she was moved to tears when she saw the turnout.

“When we were pulling [up to the parade], I was crying because seeing everyone supporting Tucker and our family means a lot to us,” she told KHSB.

Tucker’s grandfather, Rick Langford, shared that the family calls him “Tough Tucker” — a nickname that has defined his strength since birth.

“He’s had that name since the very beginning,” Chandler said. “Because the doctors told him that he wouldn’t make it to 1, and here he is 3. He’ll be 4 Christmas Eve. I bet you he will show everyone how tough he is.”

A GoFundMe created by the family explains that Tucker was “missing skin on his feet, hands, lips and chest” at birth and was diagnosed with RDEB shortly afterward. Despite constant pain, the family wrote that Tucker “brings joy and laughter to those around him,” loves talking about his trucks, playing with his baby brother, and “is one of the best storytellers you will ever meet.”

As of Thursday, Oct. 16, the fundraiser had reached $40,975 of its $45,000 goal.

According to the Mayo Clinic, RDEB can lead to serious complications such as sepsis, malnutrition, and skin cancer. The National Institutes of Health estimates that fewer than 5,000 people in the U.S. are affected.

Through it all, Tucker continues to live up to his nickname — Tough Tucker — inspiring thousands who came together to celebrate his courage.