Eli is curious, likes math and wants to be an astronaut when he grows up.
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.
The family was referred to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital 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.
Families, like Eli's, will never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food.
And his mom again felt disbelief, this time at how much support St. Jude provides.
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.
Meet more patients
-
Meet Ashtyn
When Ashtyn’s family learned she had a type of cancerous brain tumor called a medulloblastoma, they turned to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
-
Meet Abraham
After a CT scan revealed Abraham had a mass on his brain, identified as a cancerous brain tumor called a medulloblastoma, his family turned to St. Jude for help.
-
Meet Mia
Mia is a friendly, caring child who was referred to St. Jude from her home country of Nicaragua when she was 5 years old. She was diagnosed with anaplastic ependymoma, a malignant tumor in her brain.