ROYAL OAK, Mich. — Mark Wahlberg had business to take care of at Royal Oak Beaumont on Monday night.
His family opened the latest Wahlburgers location at the hospital's newly expanded parking lot, but that was only part of the movie star's evening.
Wahlberg first stopped at Beaumont to meet with Hudson Brown, a six-year-old Transformers fan who batted brain cancer for the last year-and-a-half. Hudson is in remission, and found out after his final proton therapy session he had a special celebration coming.
Brown's family kept a secret for months. Wahlberg caught wind of Hudson's passion for the Tranformers movies, and vowed to visit him when the new restaurant opened.
He kept his promise.
"He's my inspiration," Wahlberg said. "He's been in my thoughts and my prayers with what he's had to overcome."
Hudson went to his final proton radiation treatment with some Transformers flair. His mother, Megan, looked into having a Camaro take her son to the final therapy session. She found a group willing to provide a 24-Camaro escort.
He loves Bumblebee.
"It was a very tough time for our family," Megan said. "But all of his MRIs are completely clean. He's considered in remission."
Hudson's parents, sisters, and kindergarten teacher spent time with Mark and Paul Wahlberg at Beaumont's family center.
Wahlberg and his brother Paul met with a group of patients inside the children's wing at Beaumont, delivering Transformers toys from director Michael Bay and spending time with each boy and girl.
The Browns joined the Wahlbergs for a celebration soon after, to christen the new burger joint along Woodward. The opening served as a fundraiser for the Children's Miracle Network.
"It's just amazing. I always find so much inspiration. These kids are so full of hope," Wahlberg said.
