Aldo gets his wish

At Tuesday night's Padres game, Randy and Curt Gandy, representing The Randy Jones Foundation, had the honor of granting Aldo Aguilar his Padre wish--meeting several Padres players to get photos and autographs. He's a huge Padres fan and an incredible young man--a hero who has fought his entire life and brings warmth and a smile to everyone he meets. We're so happy to have met him and see that infectious smile in person.

A little about Aldo from Friends of Scott: Friends of Children with Cancer:

If you are lucky enough to meet Aldo, your life is better for it. He is truly a gift from God.

Aldo was born on August 27, 2001. When he was only one year old, he was diagnosed with Juvenile Astrocytoma (a brain tumor) and had to endure an extremely risky surgery to remove a tumor. Unfortunately during this surgery, Aldo suffered a stroke that the doctors did not think he would fully recover from. At fourteen years old he lost his vision as a result of another tumor growth.

By the grace of God, Aldo not only survived the stroke that left him paralyzed at the age of one and unable to walk by himself, but he has learned to thrive relying on his optimism and faith. Despite not being able to see with his eyes, he always reminds others that he sees with his heart.

Aldo is a testament of resilience and hope. He has gone on to graduate from Valhalla High School and is currently enrolled in a special education transition program for ongoing independent learning. Additionally, Aldo is an active member of his church the Iglesia Hispana Nueva Vida, the Braille Institute and San Diego Brain Tumor
Foundation.

Aldo has endured numerous rounds of chemotherapy, radiation, and other treatments for almost twenty years. He has been battling cancer his entire life. But, despite all the challenges and complications that he has encountered and continues to face, he stands up to this adversity with a radiating smile and a contagious laugh.

Aldo has given so many of us a great gift. He has taught us how to love without expectation but rather from a place of pure gratitude. That is how Aldo loves.Everyone that he meets walks away from the encounter with a warm heart and an appreciation for the things that matter most –family, friends, faith, hope.