Watch CBS News

Magic Wish Comes True For Leukemia Patient

MIAMI (CBSMiami.com) – There was magic in the air at Miami International Airport Friday as a very special four-year-old was granted a wish by a genie.

Four-year-old Ryan Alarcon was granted his wish to go to what most consider the happiest place on earth…Disney World.

"To say the very least we are overwhelmed. We had no idea this was the reception we were going to get," Carlos Alarcon, Ryan's father said.

Ryan's wish was made a reality thanks to the Make-a-Wish foundation and the mAAgic foundation.

"It's basically a volunteer driven event; so volunteers from the mAAgic foundation put this together for the kids," Dori Robau Alvarez from American Airlines said.

Ryan was diagnosed with leukemia on January 11th of this year.

"You know we spent a lot of time in the hospital," Alarcon said.

But after months of treatment Ryan is now in remission and this vacation is more of a celebration.

"He's a cancer survivor at the age of 4 so what else can you say but we're lucky."

Thirty-three other children from around the world diagnosed with life threatening and chronic diseases are also grabbing a magic carpet ride to Disney World.

The children also get to hang out with Spiderman, and get their face painted.

Despite the struggles they endured with his illness, Ryan and his family are grateful for the journey.

"There are no words. We're just blessed," Alarcon said.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.