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 Corbin
In 2005, 3-year-old Corbin survived his first bout with cancer. But in 2017, the 16-year-old Corbin felt a pain in his right arm. It was cancer, again, but not the same type.
-
Meet Tony
Tony wasn’t quite a year old when his family learned he had ALL, a type of blood cancer. At St. Jude, he began chemotherapy immediately.
-
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.
-
Meet Easton
When patient Easton and his family learned of his diagnosis of metastatic cancer when he was fifteen months, they had little to hope for by way of a cure.
-
Meet Cameron
Cameron is an exceptionally caring boy. During treatment for medulloblastoma, he became known around St. Jude for his magnetic smile.
-
Meet Diego
A 14-year-old who loves math and playing the ukulele, Diego came to St. Jude from his home country of El Salvador where he was diagnosed with leukemia.
-
Meet Nikalis
Nikalis is a 6-year-old boy who loves playing with his five siblings. When he was only 10 months old, Nikalis was diagnosed with a rare genetic condition called Li Fraumeni.
-
Meet Tammy
When Tammy's parents discovered he had anaplastic ependymoma, a type of brain tumor, they turned to St. Jude for their son's treatment.
-
Meet Hadley
Hadley and her family weren't expecting to experience hope when she was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia, but that's what they found at St. Jude.
-
Meet Johan
Johan is a 7-year-old boy who loves sports and studying math. In January 2018, he was referred to St. Jude after a diagnostic revealed he had leukemia.
-
Meet Katie
When Katie was diagnosed with medulloblastoma, her family searched for a place where they would receive exemplary care. They didn't have to look far before finding St. Jude.
-
Meet June
June is a cheerful, busy girl who was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia at an early age. Today, she's able to continue treatment at a St. Jude affiliate clinic near her home.
-
Meet Woods
Woods was 3 years old when he was diagnosed with brain cancer. He is being treated at St. Jude, where his family will never receive a bill.
-
Meet NaNa
NaNa has known cancer since she was 1 year old, but today, she has a brighter future with the help of St. Jude.
-
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.
