Ay'Den is a gentle kid with a ready smile – "a sweetheart," his mother would say – who loves to color, run around with the dogs and play video games.
One day, seven-year-old Ay’Den fell at school and everything changed.
He hadn't been feeling well that morning but went to school anyway. He collapsed and his mother was called to pick him up.
Ay'Den's mom took him to their local doctor and blood tests revealed that his white blood cell count was very high.
That’s when Ay’Den and his mom heard the news: Ay’Den was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia.
St. Jude patient Ay'Den with his mom
Ay’Den was quickly referred to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, where he began receiving chemotherapy to try to save his life.
Families, like Ay'Den's, will never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food.
Sharvae, Ay'Den's mom, was surprised to find out how much St. Jude does for families.
Seeing her child through cancer during a pandemic was more than difficult, but St. Jude gave her renewed hope.
St. Jude made us comfortable. I don’t know what I would have done without them.
— Sharvae, Ay'Den's mom
Ay’Den has now successfully finished cancer treatment.
Meet more patients
-
Meet Aspen
Aspen was not yet two when diagnosed with neuroblastoma. She was treated in the Philippines but six months later, the cancer was spreading so she was referred to St. Jude.
-
Meet Ava
Five-year-old Ava had a cancerous brain tumor called medulloblastoma. Referred to St. Jude, she underwent a second surgery, proton therapy and chemotherapy.
-
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.
-
Meet Eduardo
At 6 months old, Eduardo was referred to St. Jude where he was diagnosed with liver cancer. His treatment included surgery to remove the mass and chemotherapy.
-
Meet Eli
At just 6 years old, Eli was diagnosed with osteosarcoma. His family was referred to St. Jude for his treatment and Eli underwent surgery to remove the tumor and a portion of his tibia.
-
Meet Eri'Elle
Eri’Elle was just two years old when her troubles started. Her mother took her to a pediatrician and insisted they run tests to get to the bottom of her baby’s symptoms.
-
Meet Gabe
When the lights on the Christmas tree hurt Gabe’s eyes, his mom knew something was wrong.
-
Meet Mikayla
Over Christmas 2020, something was wrong with then one-year-old Mikayla. Referred to St. Jude, her cancer was identified as acute myeloid leukemia. Mikayla successfully underwent chemotherapy.
-
Meet Patient Lucas
Around Thanksgiving of 2020, three-year-old Lucas was complaining of headaches. His parents thought he just wanted attention. An MRI indicated something more serious.
-
Meet Sariyah
In the summer of 2020, photos taken of St. Jude patient Sariyah by her mother showed signs of cancerous tumors in both eyes at the age of 18 months.