Ryan Reynolds penned an emotional tribute to Aiden Waller, the 15-year-old Wrexham fan who died from cancer on Wednesday, February 5.
Reynolds, 48, was first introduced to Aiden when he learned one of the teen’s bucket list wishes was to meet him. The Deadpool actor and Wrexham co-owner invited Aiden to watch a game with him in August 2022. After the match, Reynolds and his co-owner, actor Rob McElhenney, brought Aiden to meet the players and pose for photos on the pitch with Wrexham forward Paul Mullin.
“Aiden sadly passed away this morning peacefully. No pain and holding our hands,” his mom, Sarah, wrote via X on Wednesday. “He fought a hard 3 year battle with a strength we could only wish to have. forever smiling. @VancityReynolds thank you for making a dream come true x”
The accompanying photo was of Aiden and Reynolds together at the game, a 5-0 win over Maidstone United.
“I’m sorry, Sarah. He was pure goodness,” Reynolds wrote in his reply. “No parent should go thru this. His visits were as much for you as they were for him. He had a sense of wellbeing and a sense of calm because you gave him YOURS. That sacrifice is unimaginable. You’re welcome at our club and town forever. ⚔️”
McElhenney, 47, chimed in as well, writing, “Sarah, Aiden’s strength was matched only by yours and the strength of your entire family. I am honored to have met you all. Especially your sweet boy Aiden. Thank you for that privilege and for shepherding a source of light in the world for as long as he was with us. ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ ❤️.”
Aiden was first diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer found most often in teenagers and young adults, in February 2022. Over the past three years, he battled four different cancer diagnoses.
After Reynolds hosted Aiden at the match, Sarah expressed her gratitude to the actor and club for making her son’s wish a reality, revealing he got to watch the game from the front row.
“We were welcomed like family,” she told The Leader at the time. “It was just little simple acts of kindness that they didn’t have to do, it made me want to cry.”
“It was just little things like that that make the difference,” she added. “[Ryan], Rob and Rob’s family were all amazing, we couldn’t fault any of them, they were all so down to earth.”
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