Hayden’s parents thought he might have a concussion after he bumped his head twice in one weekend. It took two emergency room visits, a CAT-scan and finally an MRI at a hospital near home to discover Hayden had a tumor resting on his brain stem. Devastated with the news and facing brain surgery for their son, his parents took the advice of their doctors to seek treatment at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
They’ve given me our son’s future. St. Jude provided that for us.
Hayden's dad
Hayden was airlifted to St. Jude so he could pursue a lifesaving course of treatment. Families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food — because all a family should worry about is helping their child live. Hayden’s treatment has included brain surgery and chemotherapy. He is now out of treatment and returns to St. Jude for checkups every three months.
His dad describes Hayden as a super smart 5-year-old, perceptive and resilient throughout treatment. “St. Jude is saving kids’ lives every day,” Hayden’s dad declared. “They’ve given me our son’s future. St. Jude provided that for us."
Help give hope to kids like Hayden who are fighting life-threatening illnesses. Become a Partner In Hope monthly donor today.
Meet more patients
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                              Meet FelicityWith a diagnosis of 5 tumors in her brain and spine, Felicity is facing a struggle, but you wouldn't know it by the constant smile on her face. 
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                              Meet BraxtonBraxton was discovered to have a brain tumor at just 6 weeks old, with more scary news to follow. But St. Jude has given this family a lot to look forward to. 
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                              Meet Jean PierreAt 18, Jean Pierre is headed to university. At three years old, he was treated at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital® for craniopharyngioma, a slow-growing brain tumor. 
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                              Meet AvaFive-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 SariyahIn 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. 
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                              Meet Patient LucasAround 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 Eri'ElleEri’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 CarlAt 3 years old, Carl had leg pain and his belly began to swell. He had a cancerous tumor above a kidney. He was referred to St. Jude where he received treatment. 
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                              Meet Ay'DenAy'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 MylaMyla’s mom found that her little girl wasn’t feeling well. Rushed to St. Jude, four-year-old Myla was diagnosed with a blood cancer called acute megakaryoblastic leukemia. 
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                              Meet BraydenBrayden received chemotherapy as well as proton therapy for medulloblastoma at the first proton therapy center in the world dedicated solely to children. 
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                              Meet EliAt 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 NovaThough Nova's eye cancer is aggressive and she is being treated for a second time, her parents know the doctors at St. Jude will stop at nothing to help their baby girl live. 
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                              Meet AspenAspen 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 KeeganBefore age 2, Keegan was diagnosed with leukemia and her family was referred to St. Jude where doctors immediately got to work trying to save her life.