Erik was only 10 months old, and his little body had no respite.
A brain malformation caused him to have up to 30 epileptic seizures a day. Doctors talked about an operation that could change his life, but it cost around 83.000 dollars, an impossible sum for his parents. In Villaluenga de la Sagra, a town in Toledo, Spain, family and neighbors launched the “We Are All Erik” campaign.
Since the little boy was a Real Madrid fan, they aimed high: they asked Cristiano Ronaldo for a signed shirt and boots to auction off and raise funds. In 2014, Spanish media reported that the soccer player had donated the items and offered to help with the cost of the surgery.
Over time, a clarification emerged: according to his mother, Cristina Cruz, Erik had not yet undergone surgery, and Ronaldo offered to pay part of the cost if the procedure proved necessary. What is confirmed is that he responded to the request, sent the items, and offered his financial support. Sometimes a simple request for help reaches much farther than a family dares to imagine.
Years later, his mother shared that, fortunately, Erik did not have to undergo the operation. In 2022, the little boy was doing well, although he continues to take medication to control the condition.
