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 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.
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.
Meet more patients
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Meet Aspen
Aspen was not yet two when diagnosed with neuroblastoma. She was treated in the Philippines but six months later, the cancer was spreading so she was referred to St. Jude.
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Meet Ava
Five-year-old Ava had a cancerous brain tumor called medulloblastoma. Referred to St. Jude, she underwent a second surgery, proton therapy and chemotherapy.
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Meet Avyan
Avyan carries himself with confidence and strength beyond his years. His manner has given fortitude to his family as they walk through an unimaginable reality.
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Meet Ay'Den
Ay'Den is a kind boy with an easy smile. When he collapsed, his family was afraid he had COVID-19. Ay'Den would be diagnosed with leukemia and referred to St. Jude.
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Meet Eduardo
At 6 months old, Eduardo was referred to St. Jude where he was diagnosed with liver cancer. His treatment included surgery to remove the mass and chemotherapy.
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Meet Eri'Elle
Eri’Elle was just two years old when her troubles started. Her mother took her to a pediatrician and insisted they run tests to get to the bottom of her baby’s symptoms.
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Meet Gabe
When the lights on the Christmas tree hurt Gabe’s eyes, his mom knew something was wrong.
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Meet Mikayla
Over Christmas 2020, something was wrong with then one-year-old Mikayla. Referred to St. Jude, her cancer was identified as acute myeloid leukemia. Mikayla successfully underwent chemotherapy.
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Meet Patient Lucas
Around Thanksgiving of 2020, three-year-old Lucas was complaining of headaches. His parents thought he just wanted attention. An MRI indicated something more serious.
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Meet Sariyah
In the summer of 2020, photos taken of St. Jude patient Sariyah by her mother showed signs of cancerous tumors in both eyes at the age of 18 months.