When Audrey was six months pregnant, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital tested her to determine whether her unborn daughter, Courtney, would be born with sickle cell disease. The disease had killed Audrey’s nephew, and the memories of the pain he suffered haunted her.
The tests on Courtney came back positive for sickle cell disease, an inherited blood disorder that causes red blood cells to become hard and sickle-shaped, instead of soft and round.
Children and adults with the disease may experience symptoms that range from severe pain to strokes, pneumonia, organ damage or death.
When Courtney was 2 months old, St. Jude doctors started her on drug treatment. She takes hydroxyurea, a medication that causes the body to produce healthy cells. Courtney, who visits St. Jude monthly, is thriving.
She loves to act, sing, design clothes and dance.
Help give hope to kids like Courtney who are fighting life-threatening illnesses. Become a Partner In Hope monthly donor today.
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Meet Joshua
St. Jude patient Joshua recently took to the court to help end childhood cancer by fundraising for St. Jude.
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Meet Pepe
Sonia never expected her family would need St. Jude. But in the past two years, she has experienced St. Jude as both a mother and a grandmother.
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Meet Calvin
Calvin, an outgoing and happy kid, finished treatment at St. Jude last year. The son of a FedEx employee, he's been selected for a great honor.
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Meet Tayde
Three-time childhood cancer survivor Tayde remains dedicated to St. Jude — the place that saved her life and enabled her to become a mom to daughter Tayde Sofia.
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Meet Kate
St. Jude patient Kate recently stepped into the spotlight when she announced a Chicago Bears' second-round draft pick during the NFL draft.
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Meet Isaac
St. Jude patient Isaac loves his older siblings, Matthew and Alyssa. When he was diagnosed with a rare blood cancer, Alyssa was there to save the day.
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Meet Korei
St. Jude patient Korei loves to play video games with her brothers. See how St. Jude PLAY LIVE events help kids like Korei.
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Meet Julia
Julia missed kindergarten graduation because she was in the intensive care unit. So the St. Jude School Program by Chili's brought the celebration to her.
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Meet Hannah
After receiving a devastating diagnosis, Hannah's family turned to St. Jude, where they would be free to focus on her treatment.
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Meet Chandler
After undergoing two brain surgeries to remove a rare brain tumor, Chandler's family turned to St. Jude for his continuing care.
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Meet Alex
After it was found that Alex suffered from neuroblastoma, his family turned to St. Jude to begin treatment.
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Meet Azalea
When Azalea's family learned she had rhabdomyosarcoma, they knew they wanted the best care for her. So they traveled from Jamaica to St. Jude to begin Azalea's treatment.
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Meet Landon
Landon gives his all at everything he tries. From running to competing in triathlons, he was always on the move — until stomach pains began to slow him down.
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Meet Lauren and Chet
Lauren and Chet first met while they were both patients at St. Jude. Their first dance at a teen formal led to a first dance as husband and wife years later.
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Meet Jenny
After Jenny's blood cancer relapsed during treatment at her local hospital in Honduras, St. Jude welcomed her and her family with open arms.
