In 1995, Jason was in seventh grade. He played football, with an eye toward playing professionally one day. “I did well in class so I could be on the field,” he said. When tests revealed Jason had acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), a type of blood cancer, his family turned to St. Jude.
Jason’s treatment plan included two-and-a-half years of chemotherapy, and he was one of the first to be treated for ALL without radiation therapy. Jason successfully beat his cancer and, in the process, found a new calling in life. During treatment, he had a lot of questions about what was happening to him, and he realized he had a talent for science. “I started to think I could help others who might be in this position, but from the other side if I decided to become a doctor,” he said.
Jason Schwartz, MD, PhD
After medical school and a residency in pediatrics, Jason returned to St. Jude in July 2014 as a clinical fellow. Staying active is a priority for Jason, and he enjoys competing in endurance events, including triathlons, marathons and cycling.
I love competing against the clock in endurance racing. It’s a fun lifestyle that helps maintain my health, especially as a cancer survivor.
For the past two years, Jason has been a part of the St. Jude Ride Committee and has helped to organize the St. Jude employee team. “St. Jude plus endurance endeavors is a fabulous combination,” he said. “The St. Jude Ride is a unique event that is helping an institution I’m passionate about.”
Be part of the St. Jude Ride on Oct. 20.
Meet more patients
-
Meet Donovan
While Donovan has been undergoing treatment for medulloblastoma at St. Jude, his regimen has included proton therapy and chemotherapy.
-
Meet Stanyiah
Stanyiah’s family was devastated when they learned she suffered from sickle cell disease.
-
Meet Lucas
After Lucas' cancer relapsed during his first six months of treatment, he needed a rare transplant. His parents' search for a treatment led them to St. Jude.
-
Meet Ainsley
When a swollen lymph node turned out to be cancer, Ainsley's parents turned to St. Jude for help. Read her story.
-
Meet Zahaan
Zahaan is a special boy from Singapore who shows a remarkable concern for others, even in the midst of battling medulloblastoma at St. Jude.
-
Our Patient Stories
Be inspired by stories about our patients on their journey from diagnosis to treatment of childhood cancer and other diseases treated at St. Jude.
-
One family, two journeys
Raeleigh's mom brought her baby sister into the world on the same day that Raeleigh was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
-
Meet Mary Browder
When St. Jude patient Mary Browder was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma, her family never believed she would get back to a normal life. Today, her diagnosis is just one part of her story.
-
Meet María Isabella
Three-year-old María Isabella and her family have made the trip from Honduras to Memphis to seek hope, along with treatment at St. Jude for acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
-
Meet Colton
Doctors discovered Colton suffered from a high grade glioma tumor in September 2015. Colton’s family turned to St. Jude for his continuing treatment.
-
Meet Maverick
On NYE of 2017, Maverick went to the hospital with abnormal bloodwork. His family entered the new year facing a terrifying diagnosis: blood cancer.
-
Meet Kaitlyn and Khirsten
For sickle cell patients like Khirsten and Kaitlyn, the transition from pediatric care to adult care will be critical to their survival. St. Jude is working to help them learn to manage their disease as they get older.
-
Meet Gracie
Just a day after she was born, Gracie was diagnosed with infant acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), a type of blood cancer.
-
Meet Ari'Yanna
Ari'Yanna and her mom, D'Yana, are navigating the difficult, and at times painful, journey of sickle cell disease with St. Jude by their side.
-
Meet Easton
When patient Easton and his family learned of his diagnosis of metastatic cancer when he was fifteen months old, they had little to hope for by way of a cure.
