VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — MrBeast is one of the biggest influencers in the world with 88 million followers. He's known for giving money away, and this time he's helping some of our young neighbors right here in Hampton Roads.
Eleven-year-old Raiden Ibaldez and his parents have had a tough year. Raiden was diagnosed with leukemia last year and spent 212 days in the hospital.
"He endured all the intense chemotherapy and the life‑threatening infections. It was a long battle for Raiden, but he is very courageous. He fought for his life," said mom Rhodalyn Ibaldez.
He won the battle and is now in remission. Then he and his family got more good news: social media titan MrBeast granted Raiden his wish to visit the Kennedy Space Center and SpaceX in Florida.
"It was very cool. They showed us the rockets that went into space and the history of some astronauts," said Raiden.
Raiden's family also went to Disney World and watched the recording of one of MrBeast's videos.
"We were so excited to get this once‑in‑a‑lifetime experience for our family."
"MrBeast sponsored eight dreams for us, and that's a lot for Toby’s Dream because we're a small organization," said Joan Steele, founder of Toby's Dream.
A small organization doing big things. In its 16 years, Toby’s Dream founder Joan Steele has brought in Taylor Swift, Zendaya, LeBron James and others to make young patients' dreams come true.
"I know you guys didn't get to meet Mr. Beast, but if you had, what would you have said to him?" "I'd say, 'Hey, thanks a lot for what you've done — not just for our family but for the kids and your mission,"' said dad Emerson Ibaldez.
Even though Raiden's parents didn't know who MrBeast was until now, Raiden did.
"He gives money out to the poor. He helps people when they really need it," Raiden said.
Helping is also what Toby’s Dream does. The nonprofit has made dreams come true for 650 young cancer patients in our neighborhoods and is "Positively Hampton Roads."
"We are very happy and thankful. It was an amazing and unforgettable experience," said Raiden's dad.
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