When Alberto Hernandez was 4, he had a simple bump on his leg that could have been mistaken as a bruise. His family later learned that he was facing Ewing’s Sarcoma, a type of bone cancer. This was a shock because the Hernandez family did not have a history of cancer and Alberto was much younger than most patients who typically are diagnosed with this disease.
After multiple rounds of chemotherapy and surgery and several birthdays and Christmas holidays in the hospital, Alberto was cancer free. But nearly four years later, the young boy who loves video games, reading and playing, relapsed.
Now 8, Alberto and his family once again are facing this obstacle with optimism and believe a combination of the expert care he receives at Miami Children’s Hospital, support from family and friends, and prayer will get them through this battle. Alberto even wears a prayer box necklace around his neck that his mother got him at the hospital gift store. “It’s where I keep my prayers,” he says confidently.
Along with some of his fellow patients, Alberto even helped inspire multiple Miami Marlins players, executives and fans to raise funds and shave their heads in support of the Bald, Brave, Beautiful™ project at Miami Children’s Hospital. This project was established to raise funds to find cures and save children from cancer.
Alberto’s next project is his role as an “MCH5K Hero” at the Hyundai Hope on Wheels 2nd Annual Miami Children’s Hospital 5K Run/Walk Presented by TotalBank (MCH5K) on Saturday, September 29. Friends, family and even strangers have donated and signed up for Team Alberto. He and his sister Amanda, 6, gave money from their piggy banks because they wanted to help other children who rely on Miami Children’s Hospital.
Alberto aspires to one day become a Miami Children’s Hospital volunteer because he is able to relate to other patients and wants to “make them feel better.”
Individuals, community organizations and corporations can help children like Alberto by registering and fundraising for the Hyundai Hope on Wheels 2nd Annual MCH5K Presented by TotalBank.
