Kind strangers on flight celebrate 2‑year‑old’s cancer recovery

A 2-year-old returning home after completing cancer treatment got a midair celebration he and his family will never forget.

After Cruz Anguiano was diagnosed with stage 4 neuroblastoma, a rare form of cancer, he underwent several rounds of chemotherapy in San Diego before traveling with his parents to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York.

What was supposed to be a three-week stay stretched into months after complications delayed his recovery. Then, about a month after his surgery, doctors delivered the news his family had been waiting for: Cruz was cancer free.

The flight home seemed routine — until a surprise announcement came over the intercom.

"We have a very special passenger on board today," an announcer said. "We are so very proud of you. You are very strong and brave."

“I had to hold back the tears because that’s where it hit me,” said his mom Elisa Anguiano. “We were finally going home to reunite with our daughter and all of our family.”

Then, the crew invited passengers to take part in something special for Cruz.

Watch the video to see how passengers showed up for the 2-year-old!

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