FC Barcelona Foundation and Enriqueta Villavecchia Foundation organise emotional meeting between Uruguayan defender and 15-year-old cancer patient

February 15 is International Childhood Cancer Day, and the FC Barcelona Foundation has always worked to foster emotional welfare and bring some joy into the lives of children suffering from such a serious illness. 

This year, in association with the Enriqueta Villavecchia Foundation, first team star Ronald Araujo visited Hospital Sant Pau de Barcelona for a surprise meeting with a 15-year-old cancer patient called Sergi. The meeting in the Villavecchia Foundation’s rooms at Hospital de Sant Pau came as a total surprise to the youngster, who had been told nothing about the Uruguayan’s presence. 

This action was part of the Foundation’s Paediatric Health and Emotional Well-Being programme that seeks to bring positive experiences into the lives of children with such a serious illness. The idea is for the FC Barcelona players to inject a little joy into their lives by giving them moments that they will never forget.

Ronald and Sergi got the chance to share anecdotes and chat about their experiences and interests. The Barça star invited Sergi to come to the Europa League game with Manchester United on Thursday at Spotify Camp Nou and gave him a signed Barça shirt to wear on the day.

For Ronald Araujo it was also a valuable experience to meet Sergi and hear the story of how he has to persevere every day with his battle against the disease.