Meet Aylin
Aylin was referred to St. Jude, where she was diagnosed with fibrolamellar carcinoma. Her family found hope amid overwhelming challenges.
St. Jude patient Aylin with her parents
St Jude patient Aylin with her parents
Aylin's story
At just 5 years old, Aylin — known for her sweet nature and radiant smile — donated her long hair to make wigs for children with cancer. Her hair grew back quickly, and two years later, she donated again. Little did her mother know that years later, Aylin would face her own cancer.
In 2022, Aylin was experiencing vomiting and pain in her side. A scan in a local emergency room revealed a mass on her liver. The then-12-year-old was referred to St. Jude, where she was diagnosed with a type of liver cancer called fibrolamellar carcinoma.
Aylin’s mom, Nallely, grew up in Tennessee and knew of St. Jude since she was a little girl. Her dad worked on construction projects on the St. Jude campus.
Never did we think that we would go to St. Jude for any reason.
- Nalley, Aylin's mom
St Jude patient Aylin
St. Jude patient Aylin with her dad
St. Jude provided Aylin treatment, but Nallely said it also provided her the support she needed during the toughest of times.
You feel like you are not alone, that they are here, and that this is my army and that they are going to do everything they can to save my daughter.
- Nalley, Aylin's mom
Where is Aylin now?
Aylin completed treatment, which included chemotherapy followed by a liver transplant at a nearby hospital, in the summer of 2023. In December of 2024, Aylin participated in the St. Jude Memphis Marathon® Weekend. Days later, her doctors discovered her cancer had returned. Aylin resumed treatment that included chemotherapy and radiotherapy. In the summer of 2025, she celebrated her 15th birthday — her quinceañera — with family and friends.
She is still in treatment receiving maintenance oral chemotherapy.
Aylin wants to be a marine biologist.
St. Jude patient Aylin
St. Jude patient Aylin with her parents
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