TLC’s “Cake Boss” Buddy Valastro Makes Wish Come True for Child Battling Brain Cancer
Holtz Children’s Hospital patient Valeria Arcila Rodriguez is not your typical 10-year-old. Her interests and hobbies include baking and perfecting her cake decorating techniques, including making floral shapes using fondant icing.
Her dream has always been to meet someone she truly admires –celebrity baker, “Cake Boss” Buddy Valastro, who has his own show on TLC. Little did anyone know that a serious illness would bring them together.
In November 2015, Valeria, a native of Venezuela, became ill and was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Through the help of different organizations, Valeria was flown to Holtz Children’s Hospital at the University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Medical Center to receive treatment.
“She loves watching Buddy’s show on YouTube to keep herself entertained at the hospital,” said Celenia Rodriguez, Valeria’s mom. “She truly admires his creativity when baking and decorating cakes.”
While at the hospital, Valeria expressed her interest of meeting Valastro one day. The Make-a-Wish Foundation began working to connect the two for a special meeting.
On February 26, Valeria’s wish came true. Valastro flew from New Jersey to meet Valeria at Holtz Children’s. Though Valeria was beaming with excitement, the special occasion was equally as meaningful for Valastro.
“What an honor,” he said. “You’re asking a child to have a wish, and their wish is to spend time with me because they see me my show and they like what I do. I do it because I’m a dad, and I do it because I want to give these kids hope. I want to make their dreams come true.”
Valastro and Valeria spent two hours decorating a cake. He shared some of his tricks on how to cut fondant into floral shapes and how to stick different pieces to the cake. Once they were done decorating the cake, Valastro asked Valeria his signature phrase, “So who wants to eat some cake?”
Valeria and her family enjoyed the cake with ice cream.
Before he said goodbye, Valastro reminded Valeria that she has to keep fighting so she could visit him in his New Jersey bakery one day soon.