"Today, we have a very special passenger on our flight. That is the heroic boy named Anguiano," Southwest Airlines flight attendant Carolyn Gallagher announced over the loudspeaker. "He has battled a very rare form of cancer and is now officially in remission."

The entire cabin erupted in applause. Cruz Anguiano, seated between his parents, beamed.

"We will be distributing tissues," Gallagher continued. "We hope everyone, if they can, will write a few words of congratulations or encouragement to Anguiano and his parents."

Anguiano receiving treatment at the hospital. Photo: WP

According to the airline, nearly all 160 passengers received tissues and wrote messages for Anguiano on the flight last month. "Anyone awake received one," Gallagher recalled.

Some passengers drew pictures, some wrote poems, and others offered words of encouragement. A few even shared their personal experiences battling cancer.

Gallagher learned from another flight attendant that Anguiano was returning to San Diego after four months of cancer treatment in New York. The flight crew decided to commemorate this special moment. The family had previously had a layover in Dallas.

"That's a significant journey to overcome, especially for a boy just two years old," said Gallagher, a mother of two young children, four and five. "We all felt we had to do something special for him."

Flight attendant Gallagher collects messages from passengers for Anguiano. Photo: WP

Before making the announcement, flight attendant Gallagher consulted Anguiano's parents, Elisa and Miguel Anguiano, to ensure their comfort in sharing their son's story with all passengers.

They revealed Anguiano was diagnosed with stage 4 neuroblastoma in 7/2025. Initially, doctors attributed his symptoms to acid reflux, constipation, and ear infections.

He underwent several rounds of chemotherapy in San Diego before traveling with his parents to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York in 11/2025 for surgery.

About one month after the surgery, doctors confirmed Anguiano was clear of cancer cells on 9/1. "It was a miracle," the couple stated. "I remember breaking down in tears when the doctor delivered the news. It felt like we had won the lottery."

Cruz will continue immunotherapy to minimize the risk of recurrence.

Messages from passengers for Anguiano. Photo: WP

Elisa and Miguel wept upon hearing the flight attendant's request for passenger messages. They later read each message to their son.

"Anguiano! Little friend, you are truly a hero! I heard you worked so hard; I am proud you never gave up!" a passenger named Ryan wrote. "Congratulations. You are my hero!"

"I am proud of you. Stay strong; bright days are ahead," wrote a passenger who had lived with cancer for 14 years.

"I couldn't read them all without crying," Elisa said. She added that the couple plans to preserve these tissues in a keepsake box for their son. She believes that when he is old enough, he will understand and cherish the affection from strangers. "I will never throw them away."