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
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Meet more patients
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Meet Ashley
When tests revealed Ashley suffered from blood cancer, her parents were devastated. “Your whole world comes crashing down on you,” said Ashley’s dad.
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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.
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Meet Jordyn
A competitive gymnast, Jordyn's aches and pains were thought to be a sports injury. Then, she was found to have blood cancer.
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Meet Joanna
In 2017, 9-year-old Joanna was found to have medulloblastoma, a type of brain cancer, and began treatment at St. Jude.
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Meet Nicole
When tests showed Nicole had acute lymphoblastic leukemia, a type of blood cancer, she was referred to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
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Meet Keeton
Five-year-old Keeton hasn’t let cancer slow him down. Find out what St. Jude means to Keeton's family.
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Meet Tony
Tony wasn’t quite a year old when his family learned he suffered from ALL, a type of blood cancer. At St. Jude, he began chemotherapy immediately.
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Meet Brantley
Brantley is a playful little boy who is being treated at St. Jude for a type brain tumor called an anaplastic astrocytoma.
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Meet Aubrey
When dancer Aubrey had trouble remembering her steps, her parents became concerned. After an MRI revealed she had brain cancer, she was referred to St. Jude.
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Meet Myra
Myra was experiencing severe headaches, and it was discovered to be a rare form of lymphoma called primary CNS ALCL.
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Meet Rylee
Rylee is an outgoing girl. When she started to complain that her left leg hurt, an MRI revealed a mass on her femur. Rylee is receiving lifesaving treatment at St. Jude.
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Meet Karique
As he undergoes treatment for retinoblastoma, Karique and his family have been on a difficult journey that's taken them from Antigua to St. Jude.
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Meet Bailey
St. Jude patient Bailey surprises St. Jude Childhood Cancer Awareness Month ambassador and actress Lucy Hale.
