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Jennifer Garner surprises boy with cancer in heartwarming hospital visit

"She is just as down to earth as she is on camera. She is really sweet and really kind."
/ Source: TODAY

Jennifer Garner recently took some time off from her current movie project to boost the spirits of some patients at an Atlanta children’s hospital.

Among those she met was 9-year-old Henry Shepherd, a big fan of the actress from her role in “Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day.”

“We both recognized her right away,” said his mom, Carrie Shepherd, a fan of Garner’s since her days starring in the television series, “Alias.” “She is just as down to earth as she is on camera. She is really sweet and really kind.”

Garner posed for pictures with Henry and his twin sister, Liza, while stopping by last Sunday to visit patients and nurses at the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of the Scottish Rite Hospital in Atlanta, where she has been filming her latest project, "Miracles from Heaven." She made her round of visits with Kylie Rogers, the young actress who plays her daughter in the movie.

Henry was diagnosed with bone cancer last December. Since then, he's been in and out of the hospital for treatments, including surgery to remove part of his leg and rotate it in preparation for a future prosthesis. On Friday, he completed his 18th and final round of chemotherapy, his mother said.

Henry told Garner that he hopes to throw a huge party like the one shown at the end of “Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day" once he is declared cancer free.

“She wished him well and said he hopes he gets his party,” Shepherd said. “Henry has spent many, many nights in the hospital and for someone to take time out of her very busy schedule to do this meant a lot to him."

While the visit provided a big boost to the hospital patients and employees, Shepherd said she hopes the attention Garner’s visit has received will also raise awareness and funding for childhood cancers.

In June, Garner and her husband, Ben Affleck, announced plans to divorce after 10 years of marriage.