The first sign of trouble was dramatic: Abigail fell while walking and fractured her spine. By the time she could walk again three days later, she had received a diagnosis of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and been referred to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital for treatment. Abigail is undergoing two-and-a-half years of chemotherapy.
Her family is encouraged not only by her medical staff but also by all the people who continually support St. Jude’s mission: Finding cures. Saving children.®
“You hear a lot of bad in the world — it’s nice to hear about the good,” her mom said. “There is still good out there, and St. Jude is proof of it.”
Abigail has never met a stranger. She sets out every day to make a new friend, whether it’s another St. Jude patient or one of the therapy dogs that visits St. Jude. Abigail has two dogs at home named Bella and Brutus.
Abigail (left) with St. Jude patient Gracie
You hear a lot of bad in the world — it’s nice to hear about the good. There is still good out there, and St. Jude is proof of it.
Help our families focus on their sick child, not medical bills.
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Meet Azalea
When Azalea was found to have rhabdomyosarcoma, her parents, Simone and Ricardo, traveled from Jamaica to St. Jude so Azalea would receive the best care.
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Meet patient Tyler
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Meet Ainsley
When a swollen lymph node turned out to be cancer, Ainsley's parents turned to St. Jude for help. Read her story.
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Meet Gracie
What Gracie's mother initially thought was appendicitis turned out to be a far worse diagnosis for Gracie's condition: acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
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Meet Saniya
When 3-year-old Saniya was a baby, her parents noticed a glare in one of her eyes. She was referred to St. Jude and diagnosed with retinoblastoma.
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Meet Leland
Despite fighting an aggressive brain tumor known as ATRT, Leland still loves to be silly and make people laugh. "He's strong and amazing," said his mom, Marisa.
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Meet Cub
On a follow up visit to the doctor after a pneumonia diagnosis, Cub found out he also suffered from acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
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Meet Mason
Mason and his dad, Matt, love to go fishing together. But when Mason became sick with cancer, it was hard to imagine they’d ever have moments like that again.
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Meet Khamoni
Khamoni’s mother was afraid her disease wasn't survivable, but St. Jude has increased the survival rates for Khamoni’s type of leukemia to 94 percent today.
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Meet Kayla
Kayla endured two-and-a-half years of chemotherapy with grace and style. She ends it with a St. Jude tradition: the "No 'Mo Chemo" party.
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Meet Jaiden
Jaiden’s family knew about St. Jude through a cousin who had been treated there years before. So when Jaiden was diagnosed with cancer, they knew where to turn.
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Meet Sydney
When he helped St. Jude founder Danny Thomas raise funds for the hospital, Sydney’s great-grandfather had no idea he would be helping his great-granddaughter.