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St. Jude patient Eli flexing his arm muscles.
 

Eli shows his strength every day

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When Eli’s mom, herself a healthcare professional, viewed his X-ray, she could scarcely believe her eyes. The bone in her son’s leg looked like it was dissolving.

At just 6 years old, Eli was soon diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer. 

 
St. Jude patient Eli, smiling.
 
 
St. Jude patient Eli being kissed on the cheek by his mom outside.

St. Jude patient Eli with his mom

 

The family was referred to St. Jude for Eli’s treatment. Eli underwent surgery to remove the tumor and a portion of his tibia, then received several months of chemotherapy.

During this time, he and his mom lived in St. Jude housing, where they grew closer than ever.

 
St. Jude patient Eli hugging his mom outside the St. Jude campus building.
 
 
St. Jude patient Eli being hugged by his mother.
 

You don’t believe it until you experience it. They told us as long as we are here, we are covered. As time went by and we didn’t have to worry about anything, we were impressed — this is real.

— Liliana, Eli's mom

 
 

Families, like Eli's, will never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food.

 
 

Eli is curious, likes math and wants to be an astronaut when he grows up. 

 
St. Jude patient Eli smiling in a wheelchair outside the hospital.
 
 
A gold ribbon that symbolizes awareness of childhood cancer for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
 

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

One in five children diagnosed with cancer in the U.S. won’t survive. St. Jude won’t stop until no child dies from cancer. With your support, we’ll be one step closer to that day. One cure closer. One child closer. Let’s cure childhood cancer. Together.  

Donate Now Learn About Childhood Cancer

 
St. Jude patient Eli wears a collared  white shirt nad smiles for the camera
 
 

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