Christine, Judi, Berit and Melinda experienced one of the most painful moments in any parent’s life — finding out that your child has cancer. Plenty of treatment and care was to be found when they arrived at St. Jude, but the bonds they formed with one another during their time of sorrow was something they could never have predicted. Now, they’re giving back to the hospital where their children were treated and continuing to comfort and support each other in the midst of great tragedy.
Late St. Jude patient Catie
Late St. Jude patient Keeley
St. Jude patient Marit
Late St. Jude patient Brogan
We were at that restaurant and her favorite song came on. She realized she was in a wheelchair, and she started to cry. My husband looked at her and said, ‘Babe, what’s wrong?’ She looked at him and said, ‘Daddy, you will never dance with me at my wedding.’
She worried about her dad. She worried about me. I think that she would be really proud that I picked up the pieces, and that by doing what I do for St. Jude, it holds me up.
It is hard with my closest group of friends down at St. Jude. I have survivor’s guilt. What’s the right word? I don’t want to say I’m lucky, I don’t want to say I’m blessed. For whatever reason, my child survived the cancer.
It sounds cliché to say ‘hope’ because hope is thrown around so many times in so many ways, but I truly feel like that is what you get here. Because without hope, what do you have?
Help families focus on what matters most
You might also be interested in
-
Our Patient Stories
Be inspired by stories about our patients on their journeys from diagnosis to treatment of childhood cancer and other pediatric diseases treated at St. Jude.
-
Making a Difference
Meet the donors, volunteers, partners, supporters and staff of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital who help make our lifesaving mission possible.
-
Bereaved Parent Mentors Offer Lessons from the Heart
In the only program of its kind, bereaved parents guide staff in mastering compassionate communication.
-
Patient Family-Centered Care Program
Learn about patient family-centered care, the belief that health care providers and the family are partners who work together to best meet the needs of the child.