For several months on and off, Damien was unwell, often sick to his stomach. But when he started to lose his balance and experience headaches, Damien’s parents began to worry it was something far more serious.
"He’s outgoing and inquisitive,” said Damien's dad.
In September 2014, tests confirmed their fears: Damien had a brain tumor identified as a medulloblastoma. His family turned to St. Jude, where Damien’s treatment included surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy.
Damien with his doctor, Amar Gajjar, MD, Director of the St. Jude Neuro-Oncology Division.
Families 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. Damien is now finished with treatment and visits St. Jude for regular checkups.
Damien likes basketball and video games. “He’s outgoing and inquisitive,” said his dad.
September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
Let's end childhood cancer. Together.
Join us for a St. Jude Walk/Run to End Childhood Cancer.
Meet more patients
-
Meet Sebastian
Nothing prepared Sebastian's family for the day they learned he suffered from a rare brain tumor. “We’re grateful there is a place like St. Jude,” said his mom.
-
Meet Rylee
Rylee is an outgoing girl. When she started to complain that her left leg hurt, an MRI revealed a mass on Rylee’s femur, so her family turned to St. Jude.
-
Meet Millie
Three-year-old Millie is undergoing treatment at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital for Wilms tumor, a type of kidney cancer.
-
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.
-
Meet Brantley
Brantley is a playful little boy who is being treated at St. Jude for a type brain tumor called an anaplastic astrocytoma.
-
Meet Keeton
Four-year-old Keeton hasn’t let cancer slow him down. Find out what St. Jude means to Keeton's family.
-
Meet Nick
St. Jude patient Nick never let cancer get in his way. Find out how he is raising money for St. Jude this September.
-
Meet Kaelyn
After two-and-a-half years of treatment at St. Jude for acute lymphoblastic leukemia, Kaelyn's cancer went into remission. Find out what she is doing now.
-
Meet Da'Maya
Da'Maya's initial symptoms seemed minor. But after her mom, Sywanda, noticed she seemed sleepy in church, she became worried. A biopsy revealed cancer.
