Keane was the guest of honor at a South Jersey Irish Festival at Riverwinds Community Park in West Deptford.
As the Irish dancers took the stage, Keane O'Brien let loose in the bounce house.
Playing the part of a carefree kid isn't always in the cards for the little guy. He is battling a rare and incurable disease called Leukodystrophy which eats away at white brain matter.
"It's sad. It's really sad," said Keane's brother, Aidan O'Brien.
But Saturday, Keane's big brother and sister say the boy was all smiles.
"It's making him really happy," said Emma O'Brian. "He thinks it's a birthday party for him."
The group of several hundred strangers had no problem joining in the celebration.
"We try to attend a lot of the festivals, mainly, for the children, grandchildren to keep the heritage going," said Lyn Moran.
"We figured we'd come out and donate to a worthy cause," said Kevin O'Connor.
"With Keane, with the disease he's got, you need to come out and do everything you can, because if you can do something, do it," said Pat Jockel.
The community stepped up to support Keane's cause. They sported "Help Keane" wristbands, shopped for shamrock tees, enjoyed some good grub, and enjoyed a little entertainment.
Most people were wearing their Irish green, but it was the green that comes in the form of a profit from the fundraiser that is going to rescue the O'Brien family of six from drowning in medical bills, and for that, the little man of the party says: "Thank you."
Keane's family is hoping the event could raise as much as $50,000. That would cover their medical debt and help other children who are battling the same illness.
Link:
http://helpkeane.com/
