The Windham community will come together in a heartfelt show of support for 16-year-old Cairo Svanovec, a Garfield High School student who has been courageously battling stage four adenocarcinoma for the past two years. A car parade will be held in her honor on Saturday at 12 p.m. along State Route 303, providing friends, neighbors, and supporters a chance to rally behind Cairo and her family.
Cairo’s father, Joe Svanovec, an electrical instructor at Maplewood Career Center, said artistic expression has always been a passion for his daughter—and the upcoming event will reflect that spirit. Many parade participants will decorate their cars with artwork and signs of encouragement, turning the procession into both a celebration and a tribute.
“This is about people showing Cairo their love and support in a way she can see and feel,” Svanovec told The Weekly Villager. “Whether it’s decorated cars, waving signs, motorcycles, tractors—this is a way for people to say, ‘We’re right behind you and we care.’ That’s the whole intention.”
The parade will begin at the vacant lot near the former Sparkle Market, next to the Circle K in Windham. From there, participants will be directed along a short route that passes the Windham American Legion Post 674—one of the event’s key sponsors. Svanovec credited a friend and Legion member for helping secure the group’s involvement.
Cairo herself participated in a similar car parade several years ago, showing her support for a friend also battling cancer. Now, the community is returning that same love.
Alongside the parade, a raffle will be held featuring items donated by local residents. Prizes include photography taken by Cairo—who has a keen eye for sunsets—as well as other contributions such as firearms and handcrafted goods.
“Cairo has always had an artistic soul,” her father said. “She loves to draw, take photos, and express herself creatively. Her room is full of color and personality. Two of her sunset photos from a wish trip to Pensacola, Florida, will be included in the raffle.”
The event also ties in with Cairo’s love of cars, a passion that began when she took a ride to her homecoming dance in a friend’s brand-new Corvette Stingray. Since then, she’s enjoyed spotting vintage and classic cars driving by the family’s Southington home—especially those headed toward Geneva-on-the-Lake.
“Cairo just felt like a princess that day in the Corvette,” Svanovec recalled. “It really sparked something in her.”
While the past two years have been challenging, Svanovec says his daughter has faced her diagnosis with remarkable strength and compassion.
“Cairo has handled every stage of this journey with grace,” he said. “Even in her pain, she reaches out to others, comforts them, and continues to show love. Her faith, and ours as a family, has been a vital source of strength.”
Inspired by Cairo’s resilience, the Svanovecs are now working toward establishing a foundation in her name to support other families navigating similar battles.
“We want to help others who are just receiving a diagnosis and need support,” he said. “Our goal is to be there for families from the very beginning of their journey.”
All proceeds from the parade and raffle will go directly to the Svanovec family to assist with ongoing medical expenses.
