Ronald McDonald House resident celebrates early 6th birthday party ahead of life-saving procedure

James Magill and Margarita Velasquez say meeting Carlos at the group’s “Men Who Cook” event inspired them to organize the celebration. A special birthday celebration brought smiles and support to a young boy and his family at the Ronald McDonald House Charities. Carlos is turning 6, a milestone made even more meaningful by the community surrounding him. Friends and family gathered early at the house for a Sonic-themed birthday party. The famous hedgehog even made an appearance, turning the day into something unforgettable.

Carlos’ actual birthday is next month, but he will be in San Antonio preparing for a life-saving, isolated bone marrow transplant. James Magill and Margarita Velasquez, who have participated in Men Who Cook for the past four years, met Carlos at this year's event and were inspired to organize the celebration.  He's extremely happy go lucky and just makes you really think how fortunate we are to go through life without any issues that Carlos is going through," Magill said, "He's still kept his head high and he's the happiest little boy I've met in a very long time.”

For Velasquez, it was a meaningful first meeting.“We just kinda instantly connected. We spoke Spanish to each other and he told me how old he was and he said he was 5 and when I was little I went through something pretty tragic when I was 5 years old and it just resonated with me," she shared. "I saw that he had so much life and I just wanted to kind of give back to him. It was just the Lord's timing whenever you meet people in your in your path.”

That experience has now come full circle for Velasquez. “Being able to give back to an organization that helped my family is where I feel like I'm connected now even more so with the Ronald McDonald Houses, and I'm really appreciative.” With a new house on the way, Ronald McDonald House Charities will soon be able to support even more families across South Texas.