In late 2014, Jordyn started to complain about aches and pains. Since she was a competitive gymnast, her doctor thought it was related to a sports injury. But then Jordyn developed a persistent fever and was often in tears because she felt so bad.
Jordyn was found to have acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). About 3,000 children and adolescents are diagnosed with ALL in the U.S. each year, making this blood cancer the most common childhood cancer.
Jordyn, a competitive gymnast, is in sixth grade and is an A student who loves to read. She also loves to tell jokes and riddles.
Within a week, Jordyn was referred to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. St. Jude has helped increase the survival rates for ALL from 4% before opening more than 50 years ago, to 94% today. At St. Jude, Jordyn is undergoing two-and-a-half years of chemotherapy.
"We knew St. Jude was the best place for childhood cancer. We knew that when families go to St. Jude, they have no worries. They’re going to be taken care of."
Jordyn's mom, Chastity
"St. Jude has given her hope she’ll return to gymnastics, and that’s helped her fight. It’s helped her stay positive," her mom said. "Jordyn is passionate about being athletic. She’s passionate about saying, 'Hey, this happened to me, but I’m going to bounce back.'"
Help our families focus on their sick child, not medical bills.
When you donate monthly, your gift means families, like Jordyn's, 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.
Other stories that might interest you
-
Meet Aniya
“The first thing on my mind was making sure I had the money to pay for treatment,” says Aniya’s mom. But Aniya’s family will never receive a bill from St. Jude.
-
Meet Khamoni
Khamoni’s mother was afraid her disease wasn't survivable, but St. Jude has increased the survival rates for Khamoni’s type of leukemia to 94 percent today.
-
Meet Jamill
Jamill loves to ride his bike and go to basketball games. St. Jude has a history with treating sickle cell disease and supporting patients like Jamill.
-
Meet Nick
St. Jude patient Nick never let cancer get in his way. Find out how he is raising money for St. Jude this September.
-
Meet Keeton
Four-year-old Keeton hasn’t let cancer slow him down. Find out what St. Jude means to Keeton's family.
-
Meet Aamir
Shortly after being diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, Aamir, who is 2, began treatment at St. Jude.
-
Meet Markell
In late 2009, Markell was found to suffer from osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer.
-
Meet Courtney
Audrey feared for her unborn child. Would her daughter, Courtney, inherit the disease that had killed Audrey's nephew?
-
Meet D'Avalon
D’Avalon has been fighting sickle cell disease since he was a newborn. But thanks to treatment at St. Jude, he's able to look to the future with optimism.
-
Meet Audrey
Audrey's family has enough to deal with without having to worry about paying for her treatment.
-
Meet Saniya
When 3-year-old Saniya was a baby, her parents noticed a glare in one of her eyes. She was referred to St. Jude and diagnosed with retinoblastoma.
-
Meet Leonay
In 2015, Leonay developed a fever that wouldn’t go away. Her doctor in Jamaica ordered tests, which revealed she had cancer.
-
Meet Da'Maya
Da'Maya's initial symptoms seemed minor. But after her mom, Sywanda, noticed she seemed sleepy in church, she became worried. A biopsy revealed cancer.
-
Meet Tamara
Rosaline knew something was wrong with her daughter, Tamara. When she decided to pay for an MRI at a private clinic, it likely saved her daughter’s life.
