SALINAS, Calif. (AP) — A California teenager with leukemia is one of nearly 40 young Americans who will attend World Cup soccer matches in Brazil thanks to a foundation that works to fulfill the dreams of children with life-threatening illnesses.

The Monterey County Herald reports that (http://bit.ly/1vhiJ8N ) Ruben Rubio-Reyes of Salinas spent his 19th birthday on Saturday traveling to Rio de Janeiro and Curitiba. The Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area has arranged for him and his father to watch Iran face Nigeria on Monday and attend the Honduras vs. Ecuador matchup Friday.

Rubio-Reyes was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia when he was 15 and on his school soccer team. He had to give up sports while undergoing chemotherapy and other treatments.

The newspaper reports he’s in remission but has five more months of weekly chemotherapy.

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Information from: The Monterey County Herald, http://www.montereyherald.com

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