She's always been a happy kid. She's bubbly. She's intelligent. She's cute. She's everything.
- Aspen's father
Aspen was only a year and ten months when she was diagnosed with stage 4 neuroblastoma.
She underwent lengthy treatment in the Philippines, using a protocol developed and shared by St. Jude doctors and researchers. But six months later, the cancer was spreading again.
St. Jude patient Aspen with her family
With a referral to St. Jude, her family travelled to the United States for the first time.
When they told us that everything will be free, it was like a thorn was taken away. At first it’s unbelievable. We didn’t expect anything like this. We were so grateful.
- Mark, Aspen's dad
Families, like Aspen's, will never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food — so they can focus on helping their child live.
It changed my perspective about life. There’s so much kindness in the world. It’s inspiring in a way that it challenges us, the recipients of this kindness, to give back.
- Aspen's mom
Even while undergoing cancer treatment at St. Jude, Aspen remained bubbly, happy and playful. But her parents found they were changed.
St. Jude patient Aspen
with her parents
St. Jude patient Aspen with her father
Now the focus is on living each day to the fullest, with a sense of gratitude.
St. Jude saved us. It saved the family. St. Jude is a gift.
- Aspen's dad
Meet more patients
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Meet Abraham
After a CT scan revealed Abraham had a mass on his brain, identified as a cancerous brain tumor called a medulloblastoma, his family turned to St. Jude for help.
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Meet Adalyn
Adalyn had stomachaches that came and went with episodes of severe pain. At the ER, doctors found a large mass above her kidney, stage-4 high-risk neuroblastoma.
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Meet Avyan
Avyan carries himself with confidence and strength beyond his years. His manner has given fortitude to his family as they walk through an unimaginable reality.
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Meet Kamryn
At 2 years old, Kamryn's bloodwork indicated he had a form of blood cancer called acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Doctors referred him to St. Jude where he would undergo more than 2 years of chemotherapy while growing to love activities like Music Therapy.
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Meet Luna
When St. Jude patient Luna started to feel sick, her parents became concerned. Doctors in Guatemala confirmed what her parents had feared: Luna had leukemia.