Ethan Carnesecca didn’t get to blow out candles on his third birthday. Instead, he spent his time battling a severe illness in the hospital.
"He just had pneumonia and it kept getting worse and worse," his mother, Michele Carnesecca, told Utah’s KSL. "Our doctor said we 'won the worst case scenario with pneumonia.’ "
Like a young boy Bubby Everson, who felt better with birthday cards, and Laney Brown, who wanted to hear Christmas carols when they were sick, Ethan wanted something simple: Hot Wheels.
Understanding how important these toy cars are to Ethan, his doctors and nurses at Salt Lake City’s Primary Children's Hospital abided by his wishes.
"They don't touch the pillows. They don't take them out of his hands. (Before each procedure) they'll run around the hospital trying to find a car for him,” his mother said.
Someone else also understands Ethan’s appreciation for the toy cars. A Hot Wheels collector/blogger shared Ethan’s story in a post on April 8, 2015 and it went viral.
“Their role in Ethan's ordeal has probably happened millions of times throughout the years, and no matter what toys come and go, nothing can replace a simple toy car,” the blogger wrote about Hot Wheels.
What happened next, however, is even more remarkable, and it proves that one little gesture can have a huge impact on someone’s life.
View the video below and please SHARE this beautiful story if you are touched.
