Camila loves to read and draw. In March 2014, doctors in Camila’s home country of Puerto Rico determined she suffered from osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer. Her family traveled to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital for her treatment and care, which included chemotherapy and surgery to remove the tumor as well as part of the femur in her left leg.
Treatments invented at St. Jude have helped push the overall childhood cancer survival rate from 20% to more than 80% since it opened more than 50 years ago. St. Jude is working to drive the overall survival rate for childhood cancer to 90%, and we won’t stop until no child dies from cancer.
We’re so grateful for everything at St. Jude.
During Camila’s stay at St. Jude, she was beyond thrilled when she got the opportunity to meet St. Jude supporter, and fellow Puerto Rican, Luis Fonsi.
“For us it was a wonderful experience,” said Camila’s mom, Roxane. “Camila was really excited and it was even more special because he's Puerto Rican just like us. Knowing that he supports St. Jude, which is our second home, is something that I will forever cherish.”
Today, Camila is finished with treatment and she returns to St. Jude for regular checkup appointments. This fall, Camila is in the eighth grade. “It hasn’t always been easy,” said Camila’s mom. “But we’re so grateful for everything St. Jude has done.”
Help our families focus on their sick child, not medical bills.
When you donate monthly, your gift means families, like Camila's, never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food — because all a family should worry about is helping their child live.
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Meet Marina
Marina is a joyful 2-year-old who loves to laugh and dance with her siblings. She was referred to St. Jude after a white glimmer in her pupil led to her being diagnosed with retinoblastoma, an eye cancer.
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Meet Mia
Mia is a friendly, caring child who was referred to St. Jude from her home country of Nicaragua when she was 5 years old. She was diagnosed with anaplastic ependymoma, a malignant tumor in her brain.
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Meet Luis
Like many boys his age, Luis wanted to be a soccer player when he grew up. But then he was diagnosed with cancer. Now he wants to help kids like him.
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Meet Eleanor
Eleanor is a determined baby who arrived at St. Jude on her first birthday. She was diagnosed with down syndrome and acute myeloid leukemia, a type of blood cancer.
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Meet Fletcher
Fletcher is a 12-year-old boy and a huge Cleveland Browns fan. So it was a dream come true when he announced the team's pick in the NFL draft on April 23.
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Meet Jamia
Jamia is weathering difficulties far beyond her years as she undergoes treatment for neuroblastoma, a type of cancer arising from nerve cells.
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Meet Deuce
Deuce is a fun-loving kid who's undergoing treatment for a rare type of blood cancer.
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Meet Marric
Marric and his family had specific needs going into his treatment for lymph system cancer, but they never imagined how many of them would be met and exceeded at St. Jude.
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Pushing through hard times
Colton is a 9-year-old boy who's used to being active in every area of life. And while an aggresive form of kidney cancer might have threatened that, St. Jude was right by his side.
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Meet Caitlyn
Being diagnosed with a brain tumor was one of the scariest experiences for Caitlyn and her family. But her fears are being eased with St. Jude by their side.
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Meet Alana
Alana didn't let a cancer diagnosis get in the way of her dreams for the future. Neither did St. Jude.
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Meet patient Lillian (Lily)
Lillian (Lily) and her sister, Emmy, are inseparable, and always on the move. St. Jude is keeping them that way.
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Meet Declan
Declan and his sister are best friends. So when he had to come to St. Jude for treatment, she was there by his side every step of the way.
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Meet Maryelle
Maryelle was diagnosed with a rare disorder that left her family with little hope.
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This holiday season, our families are grateful for your support
This holiday season, you help bring hope, peace, comfort and joy to St. Jude families. Thank you for your support.