LAS VEGAS, NV ? Andre Gayac Ilano is just like any other kid his age: playful, bubbly, and very vibrant. The 3-year-old playground these days, though, is the hospital.
It was September of 2010, when doctors found out that Ilano had Stage IV cancer.
Neuro blastoma is a cancer that forms in the nerve tissue. Research says this type of cancer usually begins in the adrenal glands, which sit atop your kidneys. Records say that close to 50 percent of neuro blastoma cases happen in children ages two and below.
Ilano goes through chemo therapy every 21 days.
Ilano?s parents, Ella Gayac and Allan Ilano said they do their best to make him happy. One of Andre?s wishes was to meet bantamweight champion Nonito Donaire, Jr.
Ella Gayac said, ?It?s really hard every time I see Andre suffer. If I can only take over Andre?s place to feel the pain he is going through. Especially that, I have another baby to take care. Most of my attention is directed to Andre. It?s really hard because sometimes I don?t sleep at all.?
Allan Ilano, Andre?s father, said, ?After work I go straight to the hospital. sometimes I can?t go to work anymore because I need to be there for Andre.?
Ilano?s parents said that Andre was only one year old when he showed a lot of interest in boxing because he watched all of Manny Pacquiao?s fights on TV.
When Ilano watched the Donaire-Montiel bout on the internet, he was stunned by Donaire, Jr.?s punches when the Mexican Montiel fell to the canvas.
In spite of Donaire?s busy schedule, he visited the boy by surprise at the Ilano residence in southwest Las Vegas.
Ilano was stunned to see Donaire in person, and he gave Donaire a hug right away. Donaire pushed back his appointments so he could spend time with Ilano.
Ilano is scheduled to go through a major abdominal surgery on march 10 at the UCLA hospital to remove the tumor inside the blood vessel.
Now that Ilano?s wish to see Donaire in person came true, his next wish is to see his other idol, Manny Pacquiao in person.
