Ryan Reynolds may not have superpowers, but he sure knows how to be a real-life hero. Recently, the beloved “Deadpool” star made the dreams of a young fan come true by reaching out to a nine-year-old boy named Riley, who has been courageously battling cancer.
Riley, who hails from Hartlepool, England, had one big wish on his mind: meeting his favorite superhero, Ryan Reynolds. When the “Make-A-Wish” team and the local charity “Miles for Men” reached out, Ryan responded in the best way possible.
It all began when Micky Day from “Miles for Men” appeared on BBC Tees Radio, sharing Riley’s story with the public. Riley, diagnosed with osteosarcoma at just seven years old, has faced an incredibly tough battle.
Though he had his left leg partially amputated in the hope of beating the cancer, it returned and spread to his shoulder, lung canal, and lymph nodes. Micky’s heartfelt plea was simple: “If there’s any way to make this happen, could Ryan come to Newcastle to meet Riley?”
A day after hearing Riley’s story, Ryan took to social media, tweeting out, “Please check your DM,” signaling that he was on board. And soon enough, Riley got the call of a lifetime. In a video shared on X (formerly known as Twitter) on November 12, Ryan, joined briefly by his wife, actress Blake Lively, surprised Riley with a video chat, instantly lifting the young fan’s spirits.
“Boo!” Ryan greeted him with a big smile. “Why hello there, Riley. I’m so excited to meet you. I’ve heard so much about you.” The moment left Riley visibly thrilled, grinning ear-to-ear as his favorite star reached out across the screen.
Ryan not only spent time talking to Riley and learning about his journey, but he also hinted at making an in-person visit soon. The actor, who is a part-owner of the Welsh football club Wrexham A.F.C., suggested that he’d try to meet Riley in person at an upcoming game. “You’ve been going through a lot,” Ryan said to Riley, “and I cannot wait to meet you. I’m going to make sure that this is one of the best days of your life.”
For Riley’s family, the call was nothing short of magical. His mother, Sarah, expressed her gratitude in the video, saying, “To take time out of their day just to make one little boy feel special—it means everything.” Watching her son light up with excitement as he chatted with Ryan was a priceless experience. “You can see what it meant to him; he was starstruck obviously,” Sarah shared.
Ryan Reynolds has made headlines for his down-to-earth nature and heartwarming acts of kindness before, but this moment with Riley shows just how much of a hero he is both on and off the screen.
It’s no small thing to fulfill a child’s wish, and Ryan’s actions have not only given Riley a moment of joy but have shown the world how much of a difference one person can make. Here’s hoping that Riley’s story inspires others, just as Ryan was inspired to bring a bit of happiness to a young boy going through so much.
