Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson (Image: Invision/Chris Pizzello via AP)
He may not be a demigod in real life, but Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson did what he could to help an ailing 3-year-old boy who “is in the fight of his life.”
Johnson, who voiced the demigod Maui in Disney’s “Moana,” sang a few lines from his character’s song “You’re Welcome” to Hyrum Harris, who is suffering from acute lymphoblastic leukemia complicated by Down Syndrome.
Three-year-old Hyrum Harris (Image: Facebook.com/april.n.george)
Johnson told Harris that he, “along with millions of other strangers who will watch this video are sending you so much love, strength and mana your way,” through a caption accompanying the video posted yesterday, Nov. 18.
“[Harris] is in the fight of his life right now and doing his best to stay strong – by watching MOANA up to 10xs a day because the character he loves, MAUI makes him feel strong,” he said.
“According to Hyrum’s mama, his most important thing to say now is, I STRONG. Yes you are big man. Yes you are,” he added.
In the video, Johnson jokes that he “sounds a lot like Maui” and that he loves the character and the movie just like Harris.
Harris’ mother, April, thanked Johnson for having “a little Maui love,” and shared that Johnson’s voice became her son’s “favorite coping mechanism,” as posted on her Facebook last Sunday, Nov. 17.
“Your voice calms him and carries him through some of his toughest hours. Moana is played when he is happy, when he is sad, scared and exhausted,” she said.
“It is his happy place. He watches it like it is the first time every time. He sings along and mimics Maui throughout the movie. It brings a momma heart peace. Your compassion for my boy has touched my heart and will stay with our family through this journey. We are indebted to you all,” she added.
April also thanked her friend Micaela Brown, who helped her reach Johnson to make the request for her son. Johnson, meanwhile, also thanked Brown for her kind words showing gratitude to him and sharing heartwarming updates on Harris.
“Look at this lil’ boy, Hyrum’s face. That’s some joy real right there. Thank you to the person who wrote this beautiful note,” he wrote on Instagram earlier today, Nov. 19.
Johnson’s post was accompanied by a screenshot of Brown’s Facebook post made yesterday, who shared that Harris loved the video and that Harris’ family and the hospital staff were all “given a boost” after watching.
A GoFundMe account has been set up to help Harris in his fight against cancer. /ra
RELATED STORIES:
LOOK: Catriona Gray bonds with kids from cleft charity in Brazil
The Rock and other stars promote positivity at MTV awards
Scarlett Johansson and Dwayne Johnson top Forbes highest-paid actress and actor