Robert Downey Jr Meets Terminally Ill Boy Making His Dream Come True

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You only have to see one minute of Robert Downey Jr on screen to know the guy is one of the coolest around.

He’s one of the most successful actors in Hollywood and is the figurehead of the most successful movie franchise in cinema history.

However, he certainly had to work his way up from rock bottom to get to where he is today and it shows in his attitude towards people who look up to him.

Marvel

One such person who looks up to him is Aaron Hunter, who has a rare syndrome called ROHHAD which causes perfectly healthy children to gain weight and develop breathing difficulties.

It’s a condition which affects only around 100 children in the world, so when Aaron started an online campaign in order to meet Iron Man, Downey Jr jumped at the chance.

As soon as the #AaronNeedsIronMan campaign went viral, the Avengers star went out of his way to FaceTime him.

However, Robert took it one step further on Saturday, (March 24) when he actually met Aaron and has decided to back the youngster’s charity with the full weight of the Marvel Cinematic Universe behind him.

ROHHAD stands for Rapid-Onset Obesity with Hypothalamic Dysfunction, Hypoventilation and Autonomic Dysregulation.

Chances of developing the condition are roughly one in 70 million and it means Aaron needs an oxygen ventilator to breathe, according to BBC News.

Aaron calls the oxygen mask his superhero mask because it makes him feel like Iron Man and now, the two are friends.

There is no cure for ROHHAD and very little medical research being conducted because of no funding. This could all be about to change though, with Aaron and Downey Jr’s campaign #GoMadForROHHAD.

The challenge was originally started by Aaron about two years ago, in which he asked people to jump up and down in puddles – something Aaron used to love doing but couldn’t due to his condition.

Now, Downey Jr has hijacked the hashtag and has asked for donations in return for a trip to Hollywood for the upcoming Avengers: Infinity War world premiere.

Aaron’s mum Lisa was so overwhelmed by the incredible act of kindness, she posted on Facebook to say:

This memory will never leave us, it has been magical. We have never seen Aaron this happy until now. His big heart is full of HOPE! And the best is yet to come with the help this will bring all of the children fighting ROHHAD as Robert fulfils Aarons wish in full. [sic]

Special Thanks to Robert Downey Jr and Team Downey for their incredible support and promise to help. The hope all the families now have would not be happening without YOU.

To all who HELP and support the ROHHAD Association we say a MASSIVE THANK YOU it is with your help we’re gonna find a cure!

This is all began because of Aaron’s determination to help save all of his friends around the world and his unwavering belief that Iron Man (Robert) would help him to do that. Aaron’s selfless love and compassion was our inspiration. He kept us going and we knew we had to do all we could to reach the real Iron Man for him.

Incredible. If you’d like to donate to the cause, then head over to this link now.

If you have a story you want to tell send it to UNILAD via [email protected].

UNILAD