A passion for soccer that never fades, even in life’s hardest moments

Every four years, Ramon begins the countdown to that moment when the whole world seems to move to the same rhythm.

This occasion isn’t just a tournament for him and his family. It’s a shared tradition that unites family and friends and turns each match into something meaningful. 

“For me, it’s one of the moments I look forward to the most,” said the lifelong fan, who sees something deeply human in the excitement the sport creates.

“I see it as a way to bring nations together in one place — to compete in a positive way, with joy,” he said. 

As he spoke enthusiastically about the game, he shared that his favorite club team is Manchester United. But when the world’s biggest soccer moment comes around, he proudly wears the jersey of his home country, Mexico, one of the three host nations for the 2026 tournament.

“Soccer has been something I’ve loved since I was a kid,” he said. “My dad inspired me, he played at a semi-pro level, and so did international soccer star Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernández, who’s originally from Jalisco like me.” 

Still, Ramon didn’t get to play as much as he wanted as a child. In 2001, his life took an unexpected turn when he was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), a cancer of the blood and bone marrow.

He was referred to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital®, arriving at age 6 with his mom. There, he began chemotherapy while staying at Target House, one of the hospital’s housing facilities for patients and families. 

“I would also play soccer with other patients at Target House. It was our way of staying entertained and feeling connected to who we were,” he said.

Ramon carries many memories of St. Jude, a place he defines by the hope it provides when it’s needed most. 

“It’s amazing to see how much progress the St. Jude research team has made in saving children’s lives,” he said. “And even though it might sound unusual to say about a hospital, to me it’s like a second home because of all the people who made me feel comfortable and helped me forget why I was there.”

As he waits for the games to begin, Ramon already has plans. He wants to livestream two of his favorite video games to raise funds for St. Jude through the St. Jude PLAY LIVE platform. 

One is FIFA, where he can simulate soccer matches. The other is Jurassic World Evolution, inspired by his longtime love of dinosaurs, a passion that began during his treatment.

He recalled how movies like The Land Before Time and Jurassic Park sparked his curiosity about creatures that lived long before humans. 

“At St. Jude, after a medical appointment, you could pick something from the toy chest … and I always chose a dinosaur,” he said. “By the time my treatment ended, I had a whole box full of them. Every kind of dinosaur you can imagine!”

That fascination hasn’t gone away. 

“At 32, I still feel really connected to dinosaurs … they bring back a lot of nostalgia,” he said.

Today, Ramon lives in California. He works as a paralegal and hopes to attend law school one day. Life keeps him busy, but he remains deeply committed to St. Jude, where he returns every 5 years as a participant in St. Jude LIFE, a study that helps researchers learn about the long-term health of childhood cancer survivors. 

He participates in events like the St. Jude Walk in Los Angeles and volunteers with ALSAC, the fundraising and awareness organization for St. Jude.

“St. Jude gave me another chance at life, so this is the least I can do.”