At Eliza’s 4-month well-child visit, her pediatrician referred her to an ophthalmologist after testing her eyes. The ophthalmologist, in turn, referred Eliza to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital because a tumor was visible in the baby’s right eye.
Eliza had retinoblastoma, or eye cancer, and it was found in both her eyes at St. Jude.
St. Jude patient Eliza and her dad
St. Jude patient Eliza and her mom
Eliza underwent systemic chemotherapy, finishing in July 2022, and now returns to St. Jude for regular checkups.
St. Jude has saved her life. People giving of their own money, it's helped my baby girl. And then, you know, they're able to do research and help other children. So it's not just my little world. It's children all over the world.
- Eliza's mom
Eliza is a joyful, playful little girl, and her laugh is infectious. “Most of her life has been hospitals, doctors’ offices, but you can still see her personality shine in those places, in the darkest moments,” said her dad.
Families, like Eliza's, will never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food — so they can focus on helping their child live.
Meet more patients
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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.
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Meet Adalyn
Adalyn had stomachaches that came and went with episodes of severe pain. At the ER, doctors found a large mass above her kidney, stage-4 high-risk neuroblastoma.
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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 Kamryn
At 2 years old, Kamryn's bloodwork indicated he had a form of blood cancer called acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Doctors referred him to St. Jude where he would undergo more than 2 years of chemotherapy while growing to love activities like Music Therapy.
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Meet Luna
When St. Jude patient Luna started to feel sick, her parents became concerned. Doctors in Guatemala confirmed what her parents had feared: Luna had leukemia.
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Meet Luxe
As a kindergartener, Luxe’s legs became so covered in bruises that her parents took her to the doctor. Luxe was diagnosed with severe aplastic anemia.
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Meet Rinoa
Rinoa had an MRI due to headaches and, later, double vision. Doctors found a cancerous brain tumor called medulloblastoma and was soon referred to St. Jude.