At age three, Eri’Elle knows what she loves: dinosaurs, her mom and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital®.
When she was just two, Eri’Elle was diagnosed with a fast-growing soft tissue cancer in her spine called rhabdoid tumor. Her doctors referred her to St. Jude for treatment.
“When I received the diagnosis for my daughter, my hope was gone,” her mom, Angel, says. She found hope again at St. Jude.
Eri’Elle had two surgeries to remove tumors from her spine and then her ribs, plus chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Eri’Elle smiled through it all.
Not having to worry about what we will eat, where we will sleep or how I will pay for this treatment is more than a blessing.
— Eri'Elle's mom, Angel
Families, like Eri'Elle's, never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food — so they can focus on helping their child live.
Eri’Elle has decided she wants to be a doctor when she grows up. Her mom made her a doctor’s badge to wear at St. Jude.
“I’m grateful for every dollar that anybody gives because that’s why my child’s still here,” Angel says. “That’s why she’s alive.”
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 Eli
At just 6 years old, Eli was diagnosed with osteosarcoma. His family was referred to St. Jude for his treatment and Eli underwent surgery to remove the tumor and a portion of his tibia.
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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.