Braidwood throws parade for boy returning home after heart transplant

BRAIDWOOD, Ill. (WLS) -- A brave young boy's fight for life ended with a big celebration in Braidwood.

The city threw a parade to welcome Braeden Belcher home from the hospital.

The 12-year-old boy got to ride the fire engine that led the parade.

Belcher just spent 196 days in the hospital after undergoing a heart transplant to treat a congenital defect. But he has no complaints.

"It was actually fun because a lot of the nurses were really nice," he said.

After he got home, Braeden released a balloon in memory of the person who donated his new heart.