Drew Patchin is a 9-year-old Cub Scout from Creve Coeur who plays cello, rides horses, shoots hoops, and takes ninja classes. He loves mascots, especially Fredbird, Louie, and Mickey Mouse. And he loves parades, too, which is why he’s excited to serve as honorary chairman of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Run in downtown St. Louis, on Saturday. Drew was chosen because, though he doesn’t have any symptoms right now, he’s gearing up to fight his third battle with brain cancer. Because of his recurrent tumor, his family—mom, Jennifer; dad, Doug, and 5-year-old brother Tyler, plus other family, friends, and supporters called “Drew’s Crew”—is trying to hook Drew up with as many cool and memorable experiences as they can, which is how the opportunity with the St. Pat’s Day parade came up.
“We’re just trying to make sure we’re doing anything we can do right now,” Jennifer says. “Having those special experiences means a lot to him, and I know that long term, those memories will be very important for us to have as well.”
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In 2019, Drew was diagnosed with Anaplastic Ependymoma, a type of tumor that can form in the brain or spinal cord, and underwent surgery and radiation at St. Louis Children’s Hospital. In 2021, his cancer returned, and Drew again had surgery at Children’s but traveled for further radiation treatment to St. Jude Children’s Hospital in Memphis. He was there for more than six weeks with Jennifer, and the two would go live on Facebook each Saturday to tell jokes. “He is a really silly kid and very creative, and he loves making people laugh and smile,” Jennifer says.
Since his most recent recurrence, Drew and his family have attended the St. Louis CITY SC home opener, visited the University of Kansas to watch and meet the Jayhawks, attended practice with the Saint Louis University Billikens, and watched a special St. Louis Ambush match in which the mascots played a game at halftime. The Patchins are also planning some special upcoming vacations this spring. “Some of them are partially or mostly funded through cancer organizations, and some we’re doing on our own,” Jennifer says. “Even with the funded ones, there ends up being extra expenses.”
One way you can help Drew: Friends are hosting a family-friendly silent dance party and fundraiser at 1 p.m. on Sunday, April 23 at Congregation Temple Israel (1 Rabbi Alvan D. Rubin). Dancers will be able to choose from three streams of music and listen to the jams through headphones. There will also be different experiences—horseback riding lessons for Drew, a night at Chuck E. Cheese for Drew and Tyler—that attendees can pledge money toward. Funds raised will also help Jennifer and Doug with medical expenses and costs related to taking time off work. You can either purchase tickets or donate here.
Drew hasn’t attended the St. Patrick’s Day parade before, but he’s most excited to ride in a convertible stretch limo. The parade masterminds asked Drew to pick out a couple of giant character balloons for the event, and his scout pack will march down Market Street with their parents towing the selections. A special tent along the parade route will be set aside for Drew’s school staff and other Drew’s Crew members, so they can gather to watch his big moment.
“He’s so excited to be famous and get this sort of attention leading the parade on this day with his honor,” Jennifer says.
The 54th annual Metropolitan St. Louis St. Patrick’s Day Parade and 45th Annual Michelob Ultra St. Patrick’s Day Parade Run are scheduled for March 11 in downtown St. Louis. The Michelob Ultra St. Patrick’s Day Parade Run will begin at 9 a.m.. Learn more here. The Metropolitan St. Louis St. Patrick’s Day Parade will step off at Market and 20th at noon and end at Broadway and Clark. Learn more here.
For a list of family-friendly St. Patrick’s Day activities, see our story here.
