It Takes Two:

Lily Lewis was just 5 months old when she was diagnosed with a low-grade glioma. Despite many treatments, the tumor kept growing. Eight years later, Lily’s care team reached out to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Lily joined a clinical trial in 2019.

From the beginning, St. Jude helped make things easier. A nurse navigator stayed with Lily’s family throughout their first day, guiding them to appointments and helping them settle in. 

 “It was the first time I was able to focus on Lily,” says Heather Lewis, Lily’s mom.  

Over time, Lewis began using the St. Jude MyChart and Our St. Jude apps, tools designed to help families feel more prepared, connected, and supported.

“Using them both together is the best experience,” says Catie Maley, a senior project manager who helps brainstorm ideas for Our St. Jude. She works on making the best experiences for families with every MyChart enhancement.

"Really, it takes two.”

From medical details to social events 

St. Jude MyChart focuses on medical details such as test results, medicine refills, and visit summaries. Caregivers can also use it to communicate with the care team.

“I can reach out to them directly in MyChart,” Lewis says. “And my phone or computer will notify me when they respond.”

Each app lets users keep track of medical appointments. But, in Our St. Jude, users can view multiple schedules together. This helps when caregivers have more than 1 child who is a St. Jude patient. Social events can be marked as favorites, so they show up in a patient’s schedule. 

Built-in walking directions give users step-by-step directions across campus. The shuttle tracker shows the shuttle schedule and where each shuttle is. Families can make special requests such as when they need a car seat or are traveling with a service dog.

The app also connects users with Best Upon Request (BEST), a free concierge service that helps St. Jude families with errands and tasks.

“If you were just coming in and realized you forgot your contact lens solution or whatever it is you need,” Lewis says, “BEST is listed in the app. So, you can reach out to someone, and the concierge would go get that stuff for you.”

What can we do today?

A local recreation directory has information about the zoo, museum, and discounts at local restaurants. And Our St. Jude recently launched a Newsfeed, where families can stay up to date on relevant info and updates and a Feedback tile, where they can stay involved and tell us how we are doing. Patients and families can also favorite their care team members in the contacts section where they read a kid-friendly description of their St. Jude role and fun facts about their favorite things. 

“This is helpful,” Lewis says, ”because sometimes you're not going to have appointments. And if your child is feeling well, then it's great to be able to see what's going on that day and what you can do.”

Empowered and involved

Now 14 years old, Lily has begun to use Our St. Jude app, too. She likes to see what events are happening around campus and what food options are available at Kay Kafe.

“She wants to be in charge,” Lewis says. “She wants to see what’s going on.”

For families like the Lewises, MyChart and Our St. Jude offer more than convenience. They provide confidence, clarity, and connection throughout their care and treatment at St. Jude.