Braxton’s mom, Nadine, says he’s a superstar. He’s always been a happy baby — even when at 6 weeks of age, his head measurement was that of a 3-and-a-half month old, owing to a very large tumor.
Braxton has always been a happy baby.
When a biopsy showed Braxton had an extremely rare brain cancer called choroid plexus carcinoma, “it was like, ‘We need to get you to St. Jude,’" recalled Nadine. So in January 2019, Braxton and Nadine made the long trip from the high desert of California to the welcoming arms of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Braxton with his mom, Nadine
At St. Jude, Nadine and Braxton found a support system far from home. She said, “Your doctors are always here for you if you need them. The nurses are always here. And other families, they're going through almost exactly what you're going through. They understand it.”
You cannot express how amazing St. Jude is. You can realize it once you get here, but you can't explain it in words.
Braxton is one of a number of St. Jude patients who have Li-Fraumeni syndrome, a genetic condition that predisposes him to develop cancers. “Hearing that news made us feel lost and scared, but St. Jude has given us hope for the future,” said Nadine.
St. Jude has helped push the childhood cancer survival rate from 20% when we opened to more than 80% today. We won’t stop until no child dies from cancer.
After his lengthy treatment at St. Jude, Braxton has returned home cancer-free. He enjoyed his first snowfall this past winter, and his parents are looking forward to many more firsts as he continues to grow.
Braxton after treatment, pictured here at 20 months old.
Meet more patients
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Meet Weiming
Weiming was diagnosed with a rare disease, an immunodeficiency known as bubble boy disease and came to St. Jude at just four months from his home country of China.
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Meet Twila
Twila was brought to her local hospital for an ear infection. When the pain didn’t resolve, doctors ran tests and found brain cancer. She was referred to St. Jude and placed on a treatment plan.
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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 Jose
After he was born, José stopped eating and lost much weight. A local doctor confirmed he had brain cancer. Surgery was performed to remove a brain mass and he was referred to St. Jude.
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The kids and families of St. Jude are grateful for your support that helps fuel the mission: Finding cures. Saving children.
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Meet Carl
At 3 years old, Carl had leg pain and his belly began to swell. He had a cancerous tumor above a kidney. He was referred to St. Jude where he received treatment.
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Meet Ay'Den
Ay'Den is a kind boy with an easy smile. When he collapsed, his family was afraid he had COVID-19. Ay'Den would be diagnosed with leukemia and referred to St. Jude.
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Meet Myla
Myla’s mom found that her little girl wasn’t feeling well. Rushed to St. Jude, four-year-old Myla was diagnosed with a blood cancer called acute megakaryoblastic leukemia.
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Meet Brayden
Brayden received chemotherapy as well as proton therapy for medulloblastoma at the first proton therapy center in the world dedicated solely to children.
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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.
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Meet Max
Max traveled from China, with the Illinois couple who adopted him, to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital where he and his family received lifesaving treatment and comforting support in equal measure.
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Meet Nova
Though Nova's eye cancer is aggressive and she is being treated for a second time, her parents know the doctors at St. Jude will stop at nothing to help their baby girl live.
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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.
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Meet Keegan
Before age 2, Keegan was diagnosed with leukemia and her family was referred to St. Jude where doctors immediately got to work trying to save her life.
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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.