South Baldwin Cancer Survivor, 10, Reaches Quarterfinals of Stan Lee’s Super Kid Contest

BALDWIN COUNTY, Ala. — A 10-year-old south Baldwin County boy who beat childhood kidney cancer has reached the quarterfinals of Stan Lee’s Super Kid 2026 competition, putting him in the top 1% of entrants nationwide and a step closer to becoming a superhero in a Stan Lee Universe comic book. Aaron Ross, who was diagnosed with a Wilms tumor when he was 2, has now been cancer-free for more than seven years.

The next round of public voting opens at noon Central time Monday, Oct. 26, and runs through Nov. 5.

A shot at a comic book role

Stan Lee’s Super Kid is an online competition that gives one child the chance to be turned into a superhero character in a Stan Lee Universe comic book. The winner also receives a $25,000 prize.

For Aaron’s family, though, the contest has meant more than prize money. His mother, April Moore, said it has given a boy who spent part of his early childhood fighting cancer a chance to lean into what he loves, grow in confidence and simply enjoy being a kid.

A frightening diagnosis at age 2

Moore said fear and uncertainty overwhelmed the family when doctors diagnosed Aaron with a Wilms tumor, a type of kidney cancer that occurs in children. He had surgery to remove his left kidney and then went through six months of chemotherapy.

“One of the hardest parts was watching him spend time in the hospital, separated from his siblings, especially his twin brother, Aiden,” Moore said. “He was too young to understand what was happening, yet he showed incredible patience, trust and strength.”

The family worked to stay strong for Aaron while dealing with their own fears. Today, Moore said, his recovery has shaped how the family sees the world, through faith, resilience and gratitude.

“Today, more than seven years cancer-free, Aaron is a walking testimony that even the most frightening beginnings can lead to beautiful outcomes,” she said.

What is a Wilms tumor?

Wilms tumor, also called nephroblastoma, is the most common type of kidney cancer in children. It is usually found in young children, most often between the ages of 3 and 4, and is uncommon after age 6. The cancer typically affects one kidney, although in some cases it can be found in both.

Treatment generally includes surgery to remove the tumor and often the affected kidney, followed by chemotherapy and, in some cases, radiation, depending on the stage and features of the tumor. Most children diagnosed with Wilms tumor are cured with modern treatment, according to the American Cancer Society, though survivors are typically followed by their care team for years afterward to watch for long-term effects. People can live healthy lives with one working kidney.

Getting to be a kid

Now 10, Aaron likes playing video games on his Nintendo Switch, PlayStation and Xbox, reading and spending time with his brothers and sister. His competition profile says his love of superheroes started with superhero movies and imagining what it would be like to have extraordinary powers.

His favorite hero is Batman, whom he admires for his bravery, strength and intelligence, and for protecting others without any superpowers at all. If Aaron could pick powers of his own, he would choose flying and the ability to stretch his body to amazing lengths, so he could soar through the sky, reach things, help people and have some fun along the way.

Moore describes her son as a boy who can go from quiet and serious to silly and full of laughter.

“I sometimes feel cancer took away a small part of his early childhood,” Moore said. “That’s why watching him simply enjoy being a happy, healthy 10-year-old means so much to me. He spent part of his childhood fighting to get well, and now he gets to enjoy just being a kid.”

Nervous at first, then excited

Moore entered Aaron in the contest because she wanted him to experience something positive after his health struggles.

“At first, he was nervous, but as he advanced and saw the support surrounding him, his excitement grew,” she said.

The competition has also shown his compassionate side, his mother said. Instead of thinking only about his own progress, Aaron felt sad for the children who did not advance.

“I reminded him that every child in this competition is already a hero, regardless of who wins,” Moore said.

Making the quarterfinals has helped build Aaron’s confidence as he goes up against children from across the country. Relatives and friends have rallied behind him as Team Aaron, a growing support network that includes his twin brother, his older brother and sister, and extended family and friends.

Following in his father’s footsteps

Aaron already has a career in mind: he wants to be a police officer like his father, who is retired from law enforcement. Moore said she admires that her son understands the risks officers take to protect others and that he values the chance to help people.

“I believe his journey has taught him the importance of faith, courage, love, and support,” Moore said. “He knows God has been watching over him, and our family believes his life is a testimony to God’s grace.”

She also hopes he will remember that heroism is about more than comic books and costumes.

“Aaron is living proof that a difficult beginning doesn’t have to determine how your story ends,” Moore said. “I hope he always remembers that being a hero isn’t about wearing a cape — it’s about having courage, showing kindness, and helping others.”

How the competition works

Stan Lee’s Super Kid is open to children ages 5 to 17, whose parents submit a photo and profile. The contest is hosted by the Stan Lee Foundation together with Colossal, a fundraising company that runs online voting competitions. Donations made through the contest benefit the Stan Lee Foundation.

Public voting decides which contestants move forward from each group. Votes reset at the start of every round, and only the first-place contestant in each quarterfinal group advances to the semifinals.

Besides the $25,000 prize and the comic book role, the 2026 winner is slated to receive four VIP tickets to L.A. Comic Con in 2027, and the runner-up is expected to appear alongside the champion in the comic. Separately, representatives of the Stan Lee Universe will choose a Critic’s Pick.

Key dates and how to vote

• Quarterfinal voting: Opens at noon Central time Monday, Oct. 26, and runs through Nov. 5.
• Semifinals: Nov. 6-12.
• Finals: Nov. 13-19.
• Winner announced: On or before Dec. 17.
• Free votes: Supporters can cast one free vote per day.
• Paid votes: Adults 18 and older can make donations for additional votes, but donations are not required to vote.

Organizers note that dates are subject to change. Votes are cast on Aaron’s official competition page on the Stan Lee’s Super Kid website.

About Stan Lee

Stan Lee, who died in 2018 at age 95, was the longtime writer, editor and publisher at Marvel Comics who helped create characters including Spider-Man, the Fantastic Four, the X-Men, Iron Man and the Hulk. The Stan Lee Foundation, which he established, supports literacy, education and the arts.

More than a contest

For Moore, seeing her son go from a cancer diagnosis as a toddler to chasing a superhero dream at 10 has been emotional. No matter how the competition ends, she said, it has already given him something that matters: a chance to see his own strength and to celebrate what lies ahead.