Southwest passengers celebrate 2-year-old who beat cancer: 'We're so very proud of you'
Passengers celebrate 2-year-old's cancer-free status
Southwest flight attendants made a very special announcement on a recent flight between California and New York: 2-year-old Cruz, who'd been battling a rare form of cancer, is now cancer-free. The toddler went home with a pile of napkins filled with words of encouragement from his fellow passengers.
A 2-year-old who’s been traveling across the country to be treated for a rare form of cancer was greeted with a heartwarming surprise on his last flight home after beating the disease.
On a recent Southwest flight from New York to California, one of the flight attendants made a pre-flight announcement about a very special passenger on board: a" young hero" named Cruz.
Cruz is cancer-free
The backstory:
Cruz was diagnosed with stage 4 neuroblastoma about a year ago. Since then, he and his parents have been traveling back and forth from San Diego to New York for his treatments.
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What they're saying:
"Today we do have a very special passenger on board," the flight attendant said before the plane took off. "We have a young hero named Cruz, who is 2 years old. He has been battling a very rare form of cancer.
"He is now officially cancer-free!" she continued. "We are so honored to be able to fly you home. We’re so very proud of you! You’re very strong and brave."
Cruz reacts to passengers clapping for him on a recent Southwest flight (Southwest Airlines)
To celebrate his cancer-free milestone, the Southwest flight attendant told passengers they’d be passing some napkins around for people to write words of encouragement to Cruz.
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The little boy left with a pile of positivity, thanks to the kindness of strangers on board.
His mother told NBC News that Cruz felt the love.
"He even said, ‘I’m strong. They’re talking about me—I’m strong,’" she said.
The Source: This article includes information from Southwest Airlines and NBC News.