Alejandro

Meet St. Jude patient Alejandro

4 years old
Missouri
Neuroblastoma

Little Alejandro is 4 years old, and because his siblings are several years older, he is the spoiled baby of the family. 

“Alejandro is the joy of our home,” says Cristina, his mother. 

About a year ago, Alejandro started to complain of stomach pains. The doctors told his parents that it was just constipation and prescribed medicine.

The pains continued, however. After an episode of high fever, more complete medical studies revealed devastating news—little Alejandro had cancer. 

“In that moment I faced a terrible emptiness,” said Cristina. “I lost all hope for happiness in my life. For me, the word ‘cancer’ was synonymous with incurable, and I couldn't even mention it.”

Alejandro was referred to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital where doctors discovered that the malignant tumor called neuroblastoma had spread to his bone marrow. Alejandro also underwent radiation and a bone marrow transplant. He’s now finished with treatment and returns to St. Jude for regular checkups. “The St. Jude team gave us hope,” says Cristina. “We feel as if we have been born again.”

Meet more St. Jude patients

St. Jude patient Paishence
Paishence
St. Jude patient Katelyn
Katelyn
St. Jude patient Gissel
Gissel