Atlanta

Braves’ Ronald Acuña Jr. surprises patients, donates masks at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta

ATLANTA — Before he celebrates in front of a crowd of one million people, Braves outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. met up with some very special fans at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.

Acuña Jr. spent Thursday greeting patients and signing autographs, but the visit was special for one patient in particular: Nolan Madsen. Madsen is 11-years-old and a Braves fanatic. As a patient of the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center at Children’s, Madsen is used to frequenting the hospital hallways but he was totally surprised when he got to meet his hero there.

“This is so awesome,” Madsen said. “If I could meet anyone, it would be him.”

RELATED STORIES:

In addition to leaving patients speechless and smiling, Acuña Jr. donated 113,000 face masks to Children’s as a way to thank clinical care staff for all they do and support patients amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

“I like to share with the children, and I like the children to feel well and want them to feel the support, and I feel their support as well,” Acuña said.

The excitement will continue from Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta to the streets of Atlanta and Cobb County as the team celebrates their World Series win.

[PHOTOS: Braves celebrate World Series title]

The championship parade will take the team from Centennial Olympic Park at Peachtree Street and Marietta Street to Cobb Parkway at Riverwood Parkway and proceed to Cobb Parkway at Battery Avenue.

[Atlanta Braves World Series parade: Route, schedule, how to watch on Channel 2]