'Disney Week of Wishes' sends local 4-year-old leukemia patient to Disneyland as Avengers recruit

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Disney kicked off its second "Disney Week of Wishes" on Monday.

The goal is to make as many children's dreams come true as possible, with the help of Make-A-Wish and it includes one little boy from the South Valley.

Emerson Palasio is just four years old now, but his battle against leukemia began over a year ago.

For his bravery, he'll not only get to go to Disneyland, but his heroism will be clear to everyone, as he prepares to step into his role as an Avengers recruit.

"He was diagnosed with leukemia in February of last year. Type ALL," Emerson's father, Edison Palasio, told Action News.

Emerson's family says his diagnosis was the start of a long and difficult journey.

Over the last year, his father says he's had around 70 hospital visits.

The fear and uncertainty are things his older siblings are learning to cope with.

"I really missed him so much," said older sister Addison Palasio, who is just a few years ahead of Emerson.

Meanwhile, his parents have been dealing with the emotional fallout.

"He's doing well, but he still has his days where he feels fatigued or loss of appetite. And it's still hard for us to cope with that, because all of our other kids play and eat, and he sometimes doesn't. And as a parent, that's really hard," said Dalia Palasio, Emerson's mother.

But through it all, the 4-year-old checks in on his family, a love that is reciprocated as they join the fight to support him.

"One night, I prayed that he would be up and playing. And the next day, when I got home from school, he was playing," said older brother, Edison Palasio II.

And now that Emerson is in remission, he's getting to do more than just play.

This week, he'll start his new role as an Avenger recruit, joining some of the world's most influential content creators, like Mr. Beast, at Disneyland for an interactive story of heroic proportions.

"He looks up to them as heroes," said Dalia.

Emerson's parents say this will be their first family trip since he first received his diagnosis, made possible by Make-A-Wish and "Disney Week of Wishes."

"They sponsored a Disney trip for him," said his dad, Edison. "All the kids are excited. Emerson's excited."

It's a pick-me-up that the whole family says they need. Emerson still struggles some days, even in his remission.

They're hoping that this week's trip is the beginning of a new, healthy chapter for Emerson.

"Hopefully next year, in April, he will ring the bell," said Edison.

The Palasios leave for Disneyland on Tuesday. They'll be joined by nearly 40 other Avengers recruits, all children with critical illnesses.

Those wishes are granted by Make-A-Wish, and Disney grants a wish every hour of every day.

If you'd like to learn more about joining Disney in making wishes come true with Make-A-Wish, click here.

Disney is the parent company of ABC30.