He's already beaten leukemia's toughest rounds. Now this 7-year-old is a New York Red Bull
Seven-year-old David Arias, of Old Bridge, signed a one-day contract with the club, officially becoming the newest member of the New York Red Bulls.
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It was another busy day of training for the New York Red Bulls at the RWJBarnabas Health Performance Center, but with one new member to change things up a bit.
Seven-year-old David Arias, of Old Bridge, signed a one-day contract with the club, officially becoming the newest member of the New York Red Bulls.
David was diagnosed with leukemia two years ago. He has been receiving treatment at RWJBarnabas Health and the Rutgers Cancer Institute, along with The Bristol-Myers Squibb Children's Hospital at RWJUH New Brunswick.
He is now in the maintenance phase of his treatment. Recently, David hit a major milestone when the port used for his chemotherapy infusions was removed, clearing him to participate in all activities. He still takes daily oral chemotherapy and receives infusions every three months, but doctors say his prognosis is very positive. The soon-to-be third grader is thrilled to be back on the field doing what he loves.
After signing his contract, David got the full Red Bulls treatment. He toured the facility, stopped in the locker room to meet his favorite players, joined the team to watch a warm-up in the gym and squeezed in a round of ping-pong.
Then it was time to lace up his cleats. David hit the field alongside his brother Samuel and his new teammates for a training session.
"I like playing with the players. It was fun," David said.
He's not yet sure where he'll end up on the field.
"I also kind of like playing goalkeeper and right wing and sometimes center-mid," David said.
For his family, the day was something they never could have imagined two years ago.
"It's a dream come true. They both love soccer, so it's like an experience of one in a lifetime," said Catherine Mayorga, David's mother. "Meeting all these players and asking all these questions to them, because they also have a dream at some point to become professional players."
