Ben Affleck Comes Through After Little Boy with Cancer Calls Upon Batman for Help
11-year-old Mukuta Mukuta knows he’s dying from a rare and aggressive form of cancer. Lying in a hospital bed, the boy has some family by his side, but not the one person he wants the most: his mom.
Knowing his time left on earth is short, Mukuta bravely shared the one dream he wants to come true before he passes. He wants to see his mother, who is living halfway across the world in a refugee camp in Zimbabwe.
In his innocent childlike spirit, Mukuta also wants to meet Batman, the one superhero who can make things a little more bearable. Hospice Atlanta posted a plea on social media to help Mukuta, and fans all over the world called upon the bat signal in hopes Batman — aka Ben Affleck — would be watching.
Hospice Atlanta is calling for Batman!
Melissa has been next to Mukuta daily & has come to know that Batman is his favorite Superhero.He has cholangeocarcinoma.Sadly-His life is going to end soon (days/week)We need a Batman costume or someone to be the Batman themselves. ? pic.twitter.com/l1uMvFaC3o
— Evil Mel Tucker?? (@EvilMelTucker) April 2, 2018
On April 5, Affleck surprised the young boy with a FaceTime phone call. The phone call lifted Mukata’s spirits, and ignited a hurried attempt to get Mukata’s mother to Atlanta.
It may be a race against time, but Batman — aka Ben Affleck — is determined to do all he can to reunite this fractured family. Affleck, known for his charity work in the Congo, offered to pay for Mukata’s mother to fly to America.
Such a memorable day for Mukuta who’s a super #Batman fan! He received a phone call from @BenAffleck today. Thanks to the widespread community support and helping us deliver on our mission: To Improve the Lives of Those We Serve. #HospiceAtlanta @EvilMelTucker #Batman4Mukuta pic.twitter.com/l2Z8AdnHaX
— Visiting Nurse | Hospice Atlanta (@VNHS) April 5, 2018
Mukuta was born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and emigrated to the United States with his father and several of his siblings when he was younger. His mother and four of his siblings stayed behind, and communicating with them during this difficult time has been heart-achingly tough.
Lanise Shortell is a pediatric hospice nurse who has been coordinating Mukata’s care. “Our goal as a hospice team, especially in pediatric care, is to provide care for the entire family unit,” Shortell explained.
“It’s very important for Mukuta now, but it’s also very important for Mukuta’s parents and his siblings, later,” Shortell said. “And trying to merge those, when you have half the family on the other side of the world, has been quite a barrier.”
According to Entertainment Television, Mukata’s mother is working with the United Nations in Zimbabwe and the Congo for expedited clearances to come to Atlanta.
Paperwork and travel clearance takes time, which Mukata doesn’t have, but the family is hopeful the boy’s mother will arrive in time.
“A kid cannot grow up with one parent,” said Mukata’s 15-year-old brother, Kalombo, who understands how desperately his mother’s presence is needed. “It needs to be two parents, like a mother and father. That’s what a kid needs.”
A widespread community has rallied around Mukata and his family, offering to help in any way they can. We wish this family all the best.
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