Family of Texas boy fighting cancer wears superhero costumes during chemo sessions

DALLAS — Superheroes are walking the halls of a Dallas children’s hospital, ready to do battle against cancer.

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Leone Hernandez’s family is showing support for the 3-year-old boy from Plano, Texas, who was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in 2021, by wearing superhero costumes whenever the boy has chemotherapy treatment or a doctor’s appointment, WFAA-TV reported.

“We believe we have the superpowers that we need to face this battle,” Natalia Hernandez told the television station. “We have to make sure Leo feels that.

“We do it to make sure he feels the power.”

Natalia Hernandez was reluctant to wear the superhero garb but said her husband, Dario Hernandez, who came up with the idea, said it would be a symbolic show of strength.

“The first time, I said to my husband, ‘Do I really have to wear this? I don’t know about this.’ But he insisted that it would help Leo,” Natalia Hernandez said in an interview with the Children’s Medical Center Foundation. “Now, Leo feels powerful and strong as he walks into the hospital. Most of the people at the front desk know us as ‘the dress-up people’ and will offer to take our photo.”

Dario Hernandez buys all of the costumes. The family already has 10 different superheroes to choose from, WFAA reported.

“The costumes helped turn around Leo’s outlook on the situation,” Natalia Hernandez told the Children’s Medical Center Foundation. “And they make other kids in the hospital smile, too.

“We’ll hear them say, ‘Look, mom, that’s Superman.’”

Leone Hernandez’s pediatric oncologist, Laura Klessy, said the family’s attitude toward treatment is not surprising.

“Really helps them go in with this ... we’re all part of this,” Klessy told KXAS-TV. “We are all part of this fight, and we can do it because we’re superheroes, and I really think that does make a difference.”

Leone Hernandez’s bravery as he endures his chemotherapy has been inspirational.

“Living these types of battles, they’re really hard, but they’re not impossible,” Natalia Hernandez told KXAS. “Leo is a superhero for us.”

A GoFundMe page was started for Leone Hernandez. As of Wednesday night, more than $28,000 had been pledged.

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