Shannon Children’s Miracle Network Recipient Loses Life Unexpectedly

“When I grow up, I want to be a basketball player, a game tester, a doctor, and work for NASA,’ Alcadio Estrada Barron once said. “I'll probably just be all four at once.” 

Alcadio was a young man who touched the lives of many, including many San Angeloans and residents of the Concho Valley.

In 2007 Shannon Medical Center Children’s Miracle Network Hospital highlighted Barron’s dreams and his story. A story of a 11-year-old boy who learned he had acute lymphocytic leukemia at the age of 7.

In his Miracle Story (here) about impossible dreams, Alcadio’s mom, Angela, said, “I thought Alcadio had the flu. At first, he had a lot of bruising, and we dismissed that as just being a boy. Then he started becoming pale and fatigued, so we took him to the pediatrician to see another doctor. Needless to say, I wasn’t surprised when I heard his diagnosis. We were told he had kidney cancer, but then it didn’t fit his profile.”

After nearly three years of chemotherapy, Alcadio was clear of the leukemia; however, in 2007, the cancer returned. With the help of the Children’s Miracle Network, the Barron family got the support they needed to battle it, so Alcadio could go on living a life of dreams.

“Alcadio loves his life,” the story noted. “His favorite part of school is Ms. Coleman’s class for homeroom.”

Alcadio said, “I love math so much. I love that part of the day. My favorite part of math is the way you have to solve the problems in certain ways in order to get a correct answer.”

Overall, the Barron family expressed their joy at the friendly nature of the Shannon Health team. This treatment kept them from having to take weekly trips to Fort Worth.

Alcadio was also inspired to see so many people worry about him. “It encourages my heart,” he had said.

During that time, the support from the San Angelo community and surrounding areas helped the Barron family immensely, something that deeply touched them all. The local paper even published two stories on Alcadio’s battle with leukemia, the support of the community, and his spirit (visit here and here).

Sadly, last week, the family notified LIVE! that Alcadio, at 21, lost his life. However, he did not die of the illness that he battled the majority of his life. On Feb. 10, 2017, at approximately 12:30 a.m., Alcadio was the victim of a hit-and-run crash in Lubbock, Texas. For that initial story, visit here.

On behalf of the Barron family, friend Brittany Salazar wanted to share this about Alcadio:

“Alcadio was just 16 years young when we had met, yet he always wore the smile of an 80-year-old man who had walked the path of a very fulfilling life. He kindly put his needs aside for others, lent his ear to anyone who needed to talk, and opened up his heart to anyone who needed warmth in their life.

“He had a passion for music, a love for nature and he loved animals, like his first turtle, Goku, who now resides in the Concho River, and not to mention his other turtle Crush, who got his name from Finding Nemo. Life was a gift that Alcadio loved waking up to, regardless of anything that had come his way.

“Alex (Alcadio’s father) could have said, “Mijo take out the trash,” and the walk alone would have been enjoyable because the views of the sky above would have been something Alcadio would have appreciated. 

“Alcadio alone faced many years of feats throughout his childhood and through his teenage years with courage and bravery that is inspiring and encouraging. I know his story will continue to support others, including myself, in times of need. His ear-to-ear smile, the support he had for others, and his love of life are all ways that we can now share to continue to uphold Alcadio’s honor.

“When we see a basketball or even hear the sound of it dribbling down a court, we will think of you. When we hear a PlayStation turn on, or hear men, even women, throw the controllers in disbelief that they have lost a game, we will think of you. 

“When we are at the doctor’s office, walking the halls of the hospitals, or celebrating life, we will think of you. And when we are glancing towards the beautiful picturesque skies above, something that you loved to do, Alcadio, we will all, think of you.”