Watch Robert Downey Jr, Chris Evans, & Gwyneth Paltrow Surprise Young Cancer Patient

Life hasn't been easy for Ryan Wilcox. When he was 3-years-old, he was diagnosed with a brain [...]

Life hasn't been easy for Ryan Wilcox. When he was 3-years-old, he was diagnosed with a brain tumor, and after intensive chemotherapy and radiation therapy, Ryan was able to rid himself of the tumor by age 7; however, he developed a rare side effect from the treatments. Now 18, the San Diego teenager is battling a rare blood disorder called secondary Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS).

Knowing Ryan is a huge fan of Marvel, his classmates at Grossmonte High School rallied around him and helped spread the word that Ryan would like to meet some of the actors from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, especially Captain America actor Chris Evans (who made a special video message for Ryan earlier this month).

Along the way, Gwyneth Paltrow, who plays Pepper Potts, heard about Ryan's situation and assembled her Marvel co-stars Chris Evans and Robert Downey Jr. for a special visit. Several days ago, the trio dropped by Ryan's home and spent about an hour with him and his family. They posed for photos, handed out gifts, autographed his bedroom wall, and, most of all, lifted his spirits.

"I know I'll never forget; it was too good of a day," Ryan told FOX 35. "They're all so great. I would like to say thank you for taking the time out to come see me and that was a highlight."

"We're all a little numb," Ryan's mom, Amy Wilcox, told NBC 7. "I knew for a couple days it was gonna happen but until you see them walk through that door, you don't know how you're going to feel. And they just were awesome. They didn't want cameras, they wanted to do it quietly. They came into our home, sat on our couches and just visited with us."

If you would like to help support Ryan in his fight against cancer, click here.

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