OAK LAWN, Ill. (WGN) – The halls of Advocate Children’s Hospital Keyser Family Pediatric Cancer Center are filled with moments of worry and joy, emotions well-known to the Covarrubias family.
“When we first found out, we were obviously shocked and traumatized by the news,” Javier Covarrubias said.
Two years ago, when Javier’s son, Emiliano, was 9, his mother noticed a lump on his neck.
The diagnosis was Stage 2 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, resulting in months of chemotherapy, which kept Emiliano out of school.
“It was really hard for me. I was really sick and I didn’t have a lot of energy all day,” Emiliano said.
After grueling treatment, Emiliano became cancer-free in March of 2024 and finally had the energy to pursue his passion, like football, where the now-11-year-old is thriving on the field as a left guard.
Follow-up appointments are still part of the routine, but his Tuesday appointment was one he’ll never forget.
Chicago Bears wide receiver DJ Moore played doctor and had an even bigger surprise for Emiliano.
That’s when Staley the Bear walked into the room and delivered an all-expenses-paid trip to the Bears game against the Minnesota Vikings this weekend in Minneapolis.
The Bears made sure Emiliano and his family would travel in style.
“I’m so shocked. I’m surprised right now. I did not think this was going to happen,” Emiliano said.
Emiliano’s real doctor was also in on the secret.
“At the end of the day, it’s about compassion. Science is the tool, but it’s the relationships, the trust, and then the strength we have as a team that can carry them forward, so that’s always an honor to be a part of,” Dr. Marie Ellen Sarvida said.
Sarvida and the rest of Emiliano’s care team have always been there, even during the worst of the worry.
“We are beyond grateful for everyone here,” Maricela Suarez, Emiliano’s mother, said. “Honestly, it kind of didn’t even feel like we were at a hospital.”
Now, just days from jetting off to his first-ever NFL game, Emiliano has big dreams for the future.
“I want to win a lot of games and I want to get a lot of tackles. For my family, I want to enjoy a lot of time together,” Emiliano said.
The Bears are planning a big sendoff for Emiliano from Halas Hall on Saturday.
WGN-TV was told there may be more surprises in store for him at the game Sunday, and maybe even another win.