It worked! Gwyneth Paltrow, Robert Downey Jr. and Chris Evans surprise cancer-stricken Avengers fan... after actress rallied co-stars to the cause

A teen stricken with cancer for the second time received a surprise visit on Monday from his Superhero heroes.

Ryan Wilcox, 18, of San Diego, is a huge Captain America fan and when Gwyneth Paltrow heard of his dream to meet the movie's stars, she posted on Instagram she was willing to drive Robert Downey Jr and Chris Evans down to meet the high school student.

In the end, they took a helicopter arriving at Ryan's home where they spent time with him and his family, according to an update the actress shared Monday afternoon.

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Nice gesture: Chris Evans and Robert Downey Jr. surprised Avengers and Captain America fan Ryan Wilcox, 18, who is battling cancer for the second time. They traveled with Gwyneth Paltrow to the teen's San Diego home on Monday

Nice gesture: Chris Evans and Robert Downey Jr. surprised Avengers and Captain America fan Ryan Wilcox, 18, who is battling cancer for the second time. They traveled with Gwyneth Paltrow to the teen's San Diego home on Monday

Dream come true: Evans posted this photo to his Instagram on Monday too, showing all three Hollywood stars with Ryan who was wearing his Captain America t-shirt

Dream come true: Evans posted this photo to his Instagram on Monday too, showing all three Hollywood stars with Ryan who was wearing his Captain America t-shirt

Paltrow shared a photo of Downey Jr. and Evans posing for a photo with Ryan, who was wearing his Captain America t-shirt, in the hallway of his home.

Evans later shared a photo of all three stars with Ryan on his Instagram. 

During the visit, Ryan showed Evans the large Captain America poster he had displayed on his bedroom wall.

Images posted on social media under the hashtag #RyanStrong showed the actor high-fiving the teen cancer sufferer, and also Iron Man star Downey Jr. autographing his wall.

Thrilled: Paltrow had rallied her famous pals to the cause after regramming a plea from Ryan's friends about how much he dreamed of meeting his superhero heroes and was excited she'd pulled it off 

Thrilled: Paltrow had rallied her famous pals to the cause after regramming a plea from Ryan's friends about how much he dreamed of meeting his superhero heroes and was excited she'd pulled it off 

Rallied for the cause: The actress shared a short Instagram video of herself on board a helicopter with Downey Jr. and Evans as they flew down to San Diego on Monday morning
Rallied for the cause: The actress shared a short Instagram video of herself on board a helicopter with Downey Jr. and Evans as they flew down to San Diego on Monday morning

Rallied for the cause: The actress shared a short Instagram video of herself on board a helicopter with Downey Jr. and Evans as they flew down to San Diego on Monday morning

Earlier in the day, Paltrow had shared a photo of the two actors walking across the airport tarmac to meet her.

She followed by a short Instagram video of the three of them in the helicopter and flying down from LA.

The Oscar-winning actress looked very excited about having pulled off the trip and showed herself briefly with a huge open-mouth smile as she panned her smartphone camera around the cabin.

They're here: She first gave a clue to what might be coming by posting to Instagram a photo of the two actors arriving to meet her at the airport

They're here: She first gave a clue to what might be coming by posting to Instagram a photo of the two actors arriving to meet her at the airport

Two weeks ago, Paltrow regrammed a photo of Ryan in his hospital bed and wrote a message to her Iron Man co-star and the Captain America star.

'Hey @robertdowneyjr and #chrisevans, want to take a road trip? I will drive you guys down,' she wrote.

In the original Instagram posting, Ryan's friends had reached out to the film stars, explaining: 'What we want for Ryan if possible is to meet the actors and actresses of the Avengers, especially Chris Evans who plays Captain America. He isn't doing too well and this would be a major way to boost his spirits and quite frankly be the best moment of his life if he literally got to meet his hero!'

Wish granted: The excited teen finally got to meet his hero, after Evans had earlier this month sent a personal video message of encouragement to his big fan that was played during a pep rally at Ryan's high school

Wish granted: The excited teen finally got to meet his hero, after Evans had earlier this month sent a personal video message of encouragement to his big fan that was played during a pep rally at Ryan's high school

Ryan had had a tumor removed from his brain and undergone chemotherapy as a toddler, according to San Diego local news station KUSI.

After being in remission for 10 years, he was diagnosed with Leukemia a year ago.

Evans had already sent a video message to Ryan that was played at a special pep rally at his high school on May 6, Fox5 San Diego reported at the time.

'I'm glad to know you are on Team Cap,' the actor said in the clip. 'I just wanted to say stay strong.'

'I know you are fighting the good fight. It's people like you, strength like yours, that inspire people like me. So, thank you, really, from the bottom of my heart. I'm thinking of you, I'm with you.' 

A plea for a fan: Paltrow had regrammed this photo of Ryan in his hospital bed and offered to drive her Iron Man co-star and the Captain America star down to see the teen and make his wish come true

A plea for a fan: Paltrow had regrammed this photo of Ryan in his hospital bed and offered to drive her Iron Man co-star and the Captain America star down to see the teen and make his wish come true

Friends and colleagues: Paltrow and Downey Jr have starred together in three Iron Man films

Friends and colleagues: Paltrow and Downey Jr have starred together in three Iron Man films

 

 

 

 

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