"Captain Optimist": The pediatrician who encouraged children with cancer and died of the same disease

Antonio Cepillo it was better known as "The optimistic captain"A graduate of the medical career and with all the papers in shape, his work in the field of pediatric oncology at the Albacete General Hospital was much more than professional.

The 36-year-old Spanish pediatrician has organized musicals and put his nose on a clown to make children with cancer laugh.

To be the promoter of The guachis, hospitality initiative promoted by the hospital, the doctor is disguised as tsar, witch, governor, airman and anything that could serve him in his broadcast to obscure the intrinsic tragedy of this disease.

According to his way of seeing things, a disease can not always be cured, but this raw truth can be counteracted by the fact that at least patients can be cured. That's why he also said that doctors should never feel sorry for their patients because he considered that it was the worst feeling. "Do not be that doctor no one wants to see again"he recommended.

However, at age 36, the illness he has always battled with has ended his life.

It all began on May 6, 2016, when Antonio Javier Cepillo Boluda discovered a protuberance in his body that did not hurt him. Overnight, he went from a doctor treating cancer patients to one of them.

"It's hard to summarize Antonio Cepillo, as difficult as baduming his loss. Cepi was this multi-faceted boy: sportsman, scientist, sage, humanist, cooperator, artist, good man"reminds his colleagues of Los Guachis.

Prior to working at the oncology plant, Antonio had worked as a volunteer in various pediatric projects in underdeveloped countries.
His work has been widely recognized and the Spanish Federation of Directed Activities and Fitness has awarded him an award. which he had the habit of painting with Disney film frames the rooms and halls of the pediatric oncology area, through the project Draw my hospital colors for all children.

The Barcelona player Andrés Iniesta I knew him since childhood. Both trained in the lower categories of Albacete Balompié for nearly 16 years.

"Friend, captain, your fight, your generosity, your selflessness, your dedication have been and will be an example for all, a very strong kiss for family and friends, rest in peace, Cepi", wrote the footballer on his account Twitter as goodbye

His colleagues at the hospital have not yet finished badimilating the death of Captain Optimism. "Life gives people an unparalleled value, but sometimes gives them a short story ".