When it comes to magic Criss Angel may never reveal his secrets — but when it comes to his family he is bravely speaking out.
Earlier this month, the illusionist revealed the sad news his son Johnny Crisstopher Sarantakos‘ cancer had returned.
Related: Teen Mom Mackenzie McKee Lost Her Mother This Month
In a statement to ET back on December 4, he detailed:
“We have recently had confirmation that our 5-year-old son Johnny Crisstopher has relapsed with ALL (acute lymphoblastic leukemia). While we are devastated by this unexpected news, we believe that he will be in remission again soon. We have great faith and hope for his treatment at both Summerlin Hospital and Cure 4 the Kids Foundation with Dr. Alan Ikeda, who has been treating Johnny Crisstopher in Nevada. He is an amazingly strong little boy, and with the support of family, friends, and my loyal fans we look forward to the day he is again in remission.”
Johnny was first diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia when he was just 21 months old.
In 2016 Criss was happy to report his son was in remission; sadly that didn’t last. Criss continued:
“This setback only continues my commitment to raising awareness and funds for pediatric cancer research and treatment. We are working on a huge event for next year in support of our foundation, The Johnny Crisstopher Children’s Charitable Foundation, and will announce more details about it as things are confirmed. We want to thank you all for the outpouring of love, good thoughts and prayers for our amazing boy.”
As part of his crusade against cancer, Criss regularly meets young patients as part of the Make-A-Wish foundation. In fact, he has been such a hard worker for the organization, they created the Criss Angel Magic Wand Award to give him in 2016 — an honor he now presents annually to volunteers making a big difference.
It was during this year’s presentation (above), at the Criss Angel MINDFREAK show at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino on Saturday, that Criss opened up more about what he and Johnny were going through.
“As a parent going through this myself, you kind of see it from both sides of the perspective. I was somebody who used to just work with children that were sick. Then I had a son who was diagnosed with pediatric cancer. So I understand, with a son who just had a relapse, what it’s really like, moment by moment, and how difficult it is to look at your child who should be worrying about what toy they’re playing with. Instead, they’re worrying about treatment that’s literally putting poison into their body.”
He then really put it into perspective, saying:
“My son will be 8 years old when he’s done and six years of his life, he has been doing chemo treatments.”
Criss also spoke about what the Driscoll family, who were getting this year’s award had gone through — something scarily sadly all too familiar:
“Stephanie [Driscoll] has been a friend. Her family is beautiful and amazing. Her little daughter, Avery, was truly an angel. I had the honor of knowing her for years, seeing her when she was in remission, seeing her when she had relapsed. There is nothing more important in the world than these kids, and Make-A-Wish understands that.”
Criss is keeping positive through all this, offering regular health updates on his Instagram page.
We can’t imagine what Criss and his family are going through. It’s honestly just too scary to think about.
Sending Johnny all the love and positive thoughts! We hope one day this will be something they look back on as the years he beat cancer, long in the past.
[Image via DJDM/WENN/Criss Angel/Instagram.]
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