Like a lot of children his age,  13-year-old Calvin likes basketball, video games and hanging out with his family and friends. Recently, he was excited to learn that he was named as the honorary grand marshal of the  2020 Southwest Airlines® Chinese New Year Parade in San Francisco on Feb. 8, the largest Lunar New Year celebration outside of Asia. The reason for that honor is where Calvin's story differs from most other kids.

In July 2016, Calvin’s family learned he had an aggressive, non-cancerous brain tumor called craniopharyngioma. He underwent two surgeries in California, where he lives, after which his family traveled to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, for his continuing treatment.

St. Jude is leading the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases, like craniopharyngioma. And St. Jude might not be in your community, but our research and discoveries are —  St. Jude freely shares the discoveries it makes, so every child saved at St. Jude means doctors and scientists worldwide can use that knowledge to save thousands more children.

At St. Jude, Calvin’s treatment included additional surgeries and six weeks of proton therapy. He now visits St. Jude for regular checkups, something he looks forward to.

“I like everything about St. Jude,” said Calvin. “I like the kids, the doctors and the nurses.” It gives Calvin’s family comfort to know how much he loves the hospital.

As a St. Jude patient, Calvin was chosen to be the honorary grand marshal of the 2020 Southwest Airlines Chinese New Year Parade, where he will represent all of the kids of  St. Jude who are from around the world.

Calvin is grateful for the opportunity. "Thank you for letting me be a part of the parade," he said, "and especially thanks to St. Jude for saving my life. "