Footballer Ronaldo pays for 10-month-old boy’s surgery
Cristiano Ronaldo was asked to donate a signed shirt - but decided to pay for the $83,000 for boy’s surgery himself
When 10-month-old Erik Ortiz Cruz’s family approached Cristiano Ronaldo asking for a donation to an auction to raise money for the boy’s brain surgery, they hoped to get boots or a signed shirt to sell at the most.
But instead of giving them something to auction, the footballer offered to cover the entire cost of the surgery, according to the Business Insider.
The $83,000 donation from the Real Madrid star will cover Erik’s surgery for cortical dysplasia – a rare brain disorder that causes dozens of daily seizures.
Ronaldo makes about $461,000 a week after taxes so he's got plenty in his wallet, but it was still a remarkable gesture.
The family then posted a picture of Erik on Twitter with the caption: “Here's a picture of Erik with the signed stuff Cristiano has sent him, apart from getting in charge of his surgery.”
And that's not all. Last year the footballer met a group of children suffering from leukaemia. He made a promise on Spanish radio that if he won the coveted FIFA Ballon D’Or (the world’s best footballer award) he would celebrate with the children.
Ronaldo won the award and made time to celebrate with the children.
It's an interesting side of the footballer who caused controversy over his own baby. In July 2010 Ronaldo made a shock announcement that he’d become a father, and said he’d be bringing up the baby alone. He’s never revealed the mum’s identity, but took full custody of the child, who is looked after by Ronaldo and his family.
Read more:
- Ronaldo's mystery baby mama - exposed
- Beckham: Harper's great at footie
- England footballer Jack Wilshere welcomes daughter with adorable pic
- Chelsea's Frank Lampard publishes children's book about, erm, football
MadeForMums Writer - Jessica Gibb
Authors
Create the perfect wishlist for your baby with MyCrib
Are you expecting and don't know where to start? Discover how MyCrib can help you build your dream wishlist. You can add products from any site with just one click and even use MyCrib's buying assistant to help get you started.