Robert Downey Jr. Sends Message To Avengers Fan Battling Brain Cancer

Though I’m admittedly a bit of a cynic when it comes to celebrities reaching out to fans who are ill, I can’t help but be occasionally impressed by it. Take this most recent example, for instance, as Iron Man himself, Robert Downey Jr. took time out of his no doubt very busy schedule to send an uplifting message to a little boy in Nebraska who’s currently battling brain cancer.

Here’s what the Avengers: Infinity War star had to say in a special video he sent:

“Jackson, is that you? Hi! It’s Robert Downey Jr., but you can call me Tony. Thinking about you, stay strong, know that my prayers are with you, and also, you know, life is challenging. And you are just the man for the job. So lots of love.”

According to the original piece on the website Live Well Nebraska, seven-year-old Jackson Tijerina is currently battling brain cancer and is taking experimental treatments through the St. Jude Children’s Hospital. Along the way, his family has had him experience dream moments like seeing the Denver Broncos play, touring an indoor zoo in Denver and, last on the list, meeting the real Iron Man.

The family didn’t think it would happen, but, as is always the case, someone who knows someone helped out to make the young boy’s wish come true. That someone was Council Bluffs resident Sue Wheeler, who knew some people in the movie industry and was able to make this happen.

“It just breaks my heart to imagine what that family is going through, and the pain poor Jackson has to endure,” she said. “When I saw his wish to meet Robert Downey Jr., I wondered if my friend had any contacts … so I thought maybe she might have a way to get to someone like RDJ. Lo and behold, my old pal pulled through!”

Of course, Jackson was overjoyed at Downey Jr.’s message, with his mother describing his reaction as so:

“He was jumping up and down, and he was smiling from ear to ear,” she said. “He was so excited and I was crying.”

Again, while I’m usually cynical about these types of things, we all know that Robert Downey Jr. is a genuinely great guy, as this is far from the first story we’ve heard that displays his kindness and generosity. And we’ll be able to catch him on the big screen as Iron Man one last time (presumably) when Avengers 4 rolls into theaters on May 3rd, 2019.