Watch the Full Block Party video with Oliver and Octavio here!
You know you’ve made it when you’re reviewing bouncy castles like a seasoned pro. That was Oliver’s life during Block Party weekend in September 2024. Between cancer treatments, family relocations, attending New York City public schools and daily survival, he found himself front and center at Ronald McDonald House New York's (RMH-NY) annual Block Party, where the most pressing matter on his mind was whether the bouncy house was a 9.9 or a solid 10. Mind you, that .1 is a crucially important differentiation when weighing and then reporting the level of fun of something as simple as a good bounce in the bouncy castle.
Oliver’s Truth
Let’s be clear: Oliver isn’t your typical 9-year-old. He’s had more doctors poke him than a porcupine in a hugging competition, but that hasn’t dimmed his infectious enthusiasm for, well, all things life. Living in New York City, away from his father who visits the family regularly, but stayed back in the Dominican Republic to keep the family’s finances afloat, Oliver and his family have had quite the ride. But if there’s anything you should know about Oliver, it’s that he’s not just fighting cancer—he’s doing it with style, charm, and the kind of wit that could make anyone forget their troubles for a while.
And this brings us to last weekend, when the annual RMH-NY Block Party kicked off with enough fun, slime, and inflatable madness to fill an entire episode of Double Dare. Oliver, armed with a microphone and his equally hilarious older brother, Octavio, was the roving reporter for the day, capturing all the laughs, joy, and inevitable awkwardness that comes with a block party full of people in costumes, oversized foam fingers, and a ton of games.
From the Dominican Republic to NYC: Oliver’s Wild Journey
Let’s rewind a bit. Oliver’s journey to RMH-NY started in the Dominican Republic, where his family had to make a tough decision. When Oliver was diagnosed with cancer, his mom and big brother packed their bags for New York City, leaving behind Oliver’s dad to keep things steady back home. Sure, it was hard being separated, but hey, you gotta do what you gotta do when your kid’s got a fight like this ahead of him.
Life in New York? Well, it’s been a rollercoaster of hospital visits, endless doctor appointments, and trying to figure out how to speak fluent “subway.” Thankfully, RMH-NY has been their sanctuary. It’s a place where Oliver can live like any other kid (you know, except for the whole “fighting cancer” part). The House offers families the space to breathe, recharge, and, most importantly, play. For Oliver, that means video games, art projects, and movie nights, all with other kids who understand what it’s like to battle something bigger than themselves. To read Oliver and his family’s full story, click here.
For his mom, it’s been a lifesaver, too. While Oliver’s treatment is underway, she doesn’t have to worry about where they’ll stay or how to get to the hospital. RMH-NY takes care of it all—meals, transportation, and emotional support. Octavio, who is always ready with a joke, has found his crew as well, bonding with other siblings who are navigating the weird limbo of being in NYC while a family member is in treatment.
But let’s get to the real action: the Block Party.
A Block Party Like No Other
If you’ve never seen a bouncy house castle rating system in action, you’re truly missing out. Oliver, our intrepid reporter, took his first assignment at the Block Party very seriously. He and Octavio hopped into the bouncy house, and after some impressive mid-air somersaults (he’s had practice), Oliver awarded it a 9.9 out of 10. Why not a perfect score? He didn’t say. Maybe bouncy houses, like life, always leave a little room for improvement.
As Oliver bounced from station to station (pun intended), the two brothers got the crowd hyped. They met Nadia, who is intricate to the children’s programs at RMH-NY and had a table set up for kids to make slime and get creative with art. “We’re here to bring smiles and joy to all the kids and their parents,” Nadia said, with Oliver nodding seriously, clearly imagining himself as both reporter and participant in all future activities.
But slime wasn’t the only attraction. The brothers bumped into a nice woman from DKMS, an international nonprofit that registers potential bone marrow and blood stem cell donors. Now, Oliver has had his fair share of medical talk, but this conversation was refreshingly upbeat. She chatted with him about how important the work is, while Oliver snuck in a joke about how if you’re going to get a stem cell transplant, you might as well make it a dramatic event.
Then there was the Darth Vader impersonator who Oliver decided to interview—because why not? As he and Octavio launched into their usual rapid-fire banter, the Anakin impersonator mumbled something through his mask. Oliver, not missing a beat, said, “Oh, he said pesky Obi-Wan!” and proceeded to declare himself Team Obi-Wan. He even scored some bonus points from the crowd with that little piece of Jedi shade.
Oliver and Octavio interviewed a fleet of four-legged critters eager to tell the boys about their role in the Block Party mayhem as well as once a week inside the House as members of the Therapy Dog Program. These amazing animals seek to give comfort to the children and families just by offering a hairy paw and a wet nose to show their love, support and soothe, and to offer comfort.
A Big Thank You
Thank you to all our booth participants for bringing so much love, joy, and fun to their spot on the block between 1st and York. Altogether, everyone made it such a wonderful event that our family’s thoroughly enjoyed. Special Thank you to Flourish by Mark Elliot (Instagram: @fleurish_nyc) for sponsoring the event and bringing the gorgeous flowers, the sunshine, and the magic to this year’s event.
RMH-NY: More Than Just a House
Let’s be real for a second: RMH-NY is more than just a place to sleep. It’s a community, a family, and, at times, a circus of pure joy. For families like Oliver’s, it’s been the glue holding them together during one of the toughest times in their lives. The House provides meals, a place to stay, and a sense of normalcy, even when everything else feels like it’s spiraling out of control.
For Oliver’s mom, the House has been a constant source of comfort. She can focus on what matters most—Oliver’s treatment—while knowing that the House has her back. The staff, the volunteers, and even the other families have all become part of their extended family.
At the Yankee's Game in September 2023.
But it’s not just about the basics. RMH-NY makes sure there’s plenty of fun to go around, too. For Oliver and Octavio, that means everything from video games to cooking classes to art projects. For a kid who spends more time in hospitals than playgrounds, these moments are precious.
And during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month in September, RMH-NY really kicks it into high gear, hosting events like the Block Party to celebrate the bravery and resilience of kids like Oliver. Sure, there’s a lot of serious stuff going on—cancer research, fundraising, raising awareness—but at the Block Party, it’s all about fun, laughter, and forgetting about the hard stuff for just a little while.
Childhood Cancer Awareness Month 2023.
Childhood Cancer Awareness Month: More Than Just Gold Ribbons
September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, and if you think it’s just a bunch of gold ribbons and sad stories, think again. At RMH-NY, it’s about celebrating the fighters, the survivors, and the families who support them. It’s a month of events and activities that shine a light on what these kids and their families are going through—without ever losing sight of the fun.
For Oliver, this month is a reminder that he’s part of something bigger. Sure, he’s a kid battling cancer, but he’s also a kid who can make slime, interview Anakin Skywalker, and rate a bouncy house with precision. He’s part of a community of fighters who are showing the world that cancer doesn’t define them—it’s just one chapter in their stories.
This started as a caregiver project in the Wellness Center with Jenniffer and two other caregivers recording a day in their life and it just keeps growing.
The Bounce Forward
As the day wrapped up, Oliver and Octavio delivered their final words on camera: “Happy 45th anniversary, Ronald McDonald House!” For 45 years, RMH-NY has been a home, a haven, and a community for families like Oliver’s. And while the challenges they face are undeniably tough, they’re also facing them with courage, laughter, and a little bit of sass.
Oliver’s journey isn’t over—he still has treatments ahead and tough days to come—but if his time at RMH-NY has taught him anything, it’s that there’s always room for joy, even in the hardest of times. And sometimes, that joy looks like a bouncy house rated 9.9 out of 10.
Here’s to RMH-NY, to Oliver, and to every family fighting the good fight. May there always be room to bounce—literally and metaphorically—through whatever life throws their way.
More kids like Oliver are diagnosed with life threatening illnesses every day. Ronald McDonald House New York needs your help to be ready to support so many fights just like Oliver's. Give what you can today and join our fight for Oliver and so many more amazing kids just like him!.