'Never give up!' John Cena encourages young fan to 'keep fighting' through health issues

Nine-year-old Nick Santillo has been in and out of hospitals since he was an infant, but thanks in part to the support of WWE superstar John Cena, Nick is facing each day with tenacity and a smile.
Nick — who was born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, a condition where part of the heart is critically undeveloped — initially met Cena on TODAY last April. Nick shook hands with Cena and held his championship belt, fulfilling his dreams on World Wish Day.

Now, more than a year later, the two remain connected by a special bond.

In October, Nick and his dad Mark were attending a live taping of WWE's "Smackdown" when Cena spotted them in the crowd. With the music blasting and the crowd roaring, their sign — "Nick The Stitch Is Here," a reference to Santillo's made-up WWE personality name — did the trick. Once he realized who it was, Cena didn't hesitate: he sprinted up the steps and embraced Nick.