Hamilton's five-year-old child, who is battling brain cancer, had one wish: to see monsters. Earlier this month, 1000 strangers fulfilled his wish. Alex Hourdakis was first diagnosed with a type of brain tumor called ependymoma when he was 10 and a half months old. Ependymoma is a type of tumor that originates in the central nervous system - the brain or spinal cord. In Alex's case, his tumors are located in his brain. As his mother, Keira Hourdakis, said, the five years since his initial diagnosis have been difficult, and she stated in an interview with CTV News Toronto on Wednesday: "At this stage, the cancer is causing other problems as well. He had to have a hole in his trachea - a tube down this throat for oxygen [...] when he is asleep or tired."

Earlier this month, doctors delivered devastating news to the Hourdakis family, as Alex's treatment stopped working, and his cancer is now in its final stage, with them being told their son only had weeks, or even days, to live. Later, Paula Tzvanakis Anderson, a family friend, visited the family on September 11, shortly after they received the news. Anderson said that during this visit, Alex expressed his deep desire to "see monsters." His father also said: "We used to take him to haunted houses in Niagara from time to time. Alex really wanted to go back, but since the news came, we haven’t been able to travel that far." Then, Anderson said she had an idea: if Alex couldn't go to see the monsters in Niagara, she would bring the monsters to him. She then posted in a local Facebook group asking the neighborhood to dress in costumes and come to Hurdakis Street in Hamilton in just 48 hours to attend a Halloween show.

At the appointed time, Tzvanakis Anderson told CTV News Toronto on Tuesday: "We expected 100 or 150 people." Instead, nearly 1000 witches, werewolves, ghosts, and skeletons showed up. Anderson continued: "I knew the number would be larger than I expected, but I never expected it to be this big."