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Optimus Prime grants Make-A-Wish for Transformers fan

Jan 06, 2020

2019 was a banner year for Team Prime. But the events that transpired in December resulted in a pinnacle moment that became the highlight of the year. The moment when full scale replicas of Optimus Prime and Bumblebee made their way to Philadelphia to surprise a young Transformers fan who is currently fighting leukemia.


Ernesto was diagnosed with high risk ALL (acute lymphoblastic leukemia). He has spent months in the hospital receiving countless treatments that have drained every ounce of energy the little boy has. Keeping him away from his family at a time when he should be living it up as a normal 5 year old. 


Ernesto is a huge Transformers fan. Not a day goes by that he doesn't mention, play with, or watch something related to Transformers. As the holidays approached, Ernesto's family wanted to make an impact for him. They wanted Ernesto to experience more than just a toy. They wanted him to meet a real life Transformer. 


So they researched ways to help Ernesto meet his favorite Transformer - Optimus Prime.

Ernesto's mom, Doreen, happened to find a full-scale replica of Optimus Prime based just two hours away in Pennsylvania. So she contacted the Greater PA and WV Make-A-Wish chapter, who in turn contacted the owners of Optimus Prime in mid-December, asking what it would take to bring Optimus to Ernesto.

"The answer was absolutely, unequivocally YES. We just needed to coordinate all of the logistics and figure out the right time to do it", states Optimus owner Joe Fiduccia.

Fiduccia collaborated with Make-A-Wish, Ernesto's social worker, St. Christoper's Hospital for Children, the Philadelphia Police, and several partners on Team Prime to see if they could pull off a miracle before the Christmas holiday...and before the cold winter weather took over. Just 5 days after receiving the initial request, Optimus and Bumblebee arrived to meet Ernesto.

Joe Fiduccia and Rick Policastro spent almost 2 hours onsite at the hospital with Ernesto and his family. The visit came complete with a VIP photo shoot, a tour of the vehicles, several special gifts, video messages from other Bumblebee owners, and the best part - a RIDE as a passenger in Optimus Prime.

"The wish was absolutely my favorite one I ever witnessed in my 35 years as a social worker. It was all about Ernesto... it was all about his family... it was all about quality of life. It was perfect," explains his social worker Robin Capecci.

The surprise trip took Bee's owner Rick 9 hours away from his family in North Carolina. While much closer, Joe also spent over 8 hours cleaning Optimus for the reveal. And unfortunately met with some minor damage to one of the wheels while rolling through the streets of Philadelphia. 

"Things can be replaced. That's the risk I take I suppose. But what we did for Ernesto today has become an experience I will forever cherish. I have absolutely no regrets at all", states Fiduccia.

Fiduccia was also joined by his entire family - Judy, Ania, and Ryan. Which made the trip even more special because of his continuing mission to inspire his son through the build and travels with Optimus.

"I wish we met Ernesto under better circumstances, but I really enjoyed it. I sometimes forget that we're the only ones in the world with a replica like this. It was nice to see how happy it made them," describes Joe's son Ryan.

Fortunately for our fans, the entire experience was documented on video and has been published to Optimus' YouTube channel for all to enjoy. We encourage you watch and share this precious moment when Ernesto met his hero! And have your tissues ready! 
"Thank you, your family and Rick for giving Ernesto a day that he will never forget There is nothing more I can say or do besides a thank you." - Doreen Luna

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