Meet Charlye
Charlye was referred to St. Jude for treatment of retinoblastoma. Amid overwhelming challenges, his family found hope and support.
St. Jude patient Charlye
St Jude patient Charlye with his mom
Charlye's story
Charlye was diagnosed with bilateral retinoblastoma, eye cancer, at just 9 months old in his homeland of Guatemala. Doctors told his parents that the only option was a procedure that meant he would lose his eye. His parents wanted to get another opinion. “It wasn't easy to accept that as parents,” said his mom, Sarvia. “We wanted to find a better solution to help my baby.”
Charlye received a referral to St. Jude and arrived in Memphis, Tennessee, in November 2025. His mom said she encountered a level of kindness and love she hadn’t experienced since her son’s diagnosis. "Everyone is very friendly. They always look for a solution so that children do not suffer, even when they use needles,” she said.
Everyone is very friendly. They always look for a solution so that children do not suffer, even when they use needles.
- Sarvia, Charlye's mom
St Jude patient Charlye with his parents
St. Jude patient Charlye with his mom
At St. Jude, Charlye underwent surgery to remove his left eye. He has received chemotherapy, as well as laser and cryotherapy intended to destroy the tumor cells in his right eye.
Here at St. Jude, it's very different and everyone is very good and that makes us feel safer — both the patients and the moms.
- Sarvia, Charlye's mom
How is Charlye doing?
Charlye is learning how to speak, but his limited vocabulary doesn’t stop him from letting his likes and dislikes be clearly known. He doesn’t like the indoors and is almost always excited for his next trip outside. He loves car rides, the playground and kicking a soccer ball. He likes to play with his toy boats and enjoys a good meal, especially soups and eggs made with vegetables.
St. Jude patient Charlye with his dad
St. Jude patient Charlye with his parents
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