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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