Six-year-old Daniel Saenz loves sports, loves video games and has so much energy that his father, Servando, can barely keep up.
His favorite team is the Spurs and his favorite player is Kawhi Leonard.
“Kawhi is the best,” Daniel said while wearing his Leonard jersey. “He wins all of the games.”
About a month ago, Daniel was in class in Laredo, Texas, when his teacher noticed that he couldn’t move his eyes from side to side. They took Daniel to the hospital, where doctors found an inoperable brain tumor.
Servando said doctors have given Daniel 40 percent chance of survival.
“They said he might have eight months to a year left,” Servando said. “We haven’t told him. We don’t know what to say. He’s so happy. He just knows he’s in the hospital in San Antonio. He still has energy. He still has a lot of life.”
While Daniel is receiving radiation treatment in San Antonio, his family is staying at the Ronald McDonald House.
The house had a special visitor on Tuesday, Daniel Saenz’ favorite basketball player. Leonard met with each of the 20 families staying at the house.
He played games with some of the kids, including some NBA2K against Daniel on a Playstation. He high-fived Daniel after a made shot, showed him a few moves on the controller, and signed the back of Daniel’s jersey before he walked over to face another kid in a serious Jenga showdown.
“I’m just here to recognize what they’re going through,” Leonard said. “Hopefully I can bring a little cheer to their hearts. You just want them to know that you care.”
The Ronald McDonald House provides homes away from home for families traveling to receive medical treatment. The San Antonio house serves 1,500 families a year, according to executive director Pat Bivin. The house has been serving families since 1985.
Kawhi has made a trip out to the house for the past three seasons.
“This day is something these kids will remember for the rest of their lives,” said the Ronald McDonald House’s Carlos Rodriguez. “The kids are spending the whole day in hospitals being treated, for them to get something like this means everything.”
For Daniel Saenz, meeting his hero was the best day he’s had in a while.
“I like when he makes three-pointers,” Daniel said. “Kawhi’s my favorite.”
lchan@attcenter.com
Twitter:@lornechan
For more on the Ronald McDonald House and to donate, please visit: www.rmhcsanantonio.org