When Melissa learned she was going to be a mom, she hoped for a boy. Smiley, happy baby Kamryn was her dream come true.
But at two years old, Kamryn started crying all day at daycare and showing other unusual behaviors. Melissa took him to the pediatrician, where bloodwork indicated he had a form of blood cancer called acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
Kamryn was referred to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital where he would undergo more than two years of chemotherapy on the Total 17 protocol.
St. Jude patient Kamryn and his mom
St. Jude patient Kamryn and his mom celebrating his No More Chemo party
Kamryn was initially scared at the hospital, but over time he formed special relationships with his care team. He loved activities like Music Therapy and took his medicine “like a champ,” said Melissa.
Kamryn celebrated the end of treatment in April 2022 with a No More Chemo party. This little boy loves learning and going to school.
Families, like Kamryn's, will never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food — so they can focus on helping their child live.
Meet more patients
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Meet Abraham
After a CT scan revealed Abraham had a mass on his brain, identified as a cancerous brain tumor called a medulloblastoma, his family turned to St. Jude for help.
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Meet Adalyn
Adalyn had stomachaches that came and went with episodes of severe pain. At the ER, doctors found a large mass above her kidney, stage-4 high-risk neuroblastoma.
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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 Eliza
Eliza’s pediatrician referred her to an ophthalmologist after testing her eyes. In turn, she was referred to St. Jude as a tumor was visible in her right eye.
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Meet Luna
When St. Jude patient Luna started to feel sick, her parents became concerned. Doctors in Guatemala confirmed what her parents had feared: Luna had leukemia.
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Meet Luxe
As a kindergartener, Luxe’s legs became so covered in bruises that her parents took her to the doctor. Luxe was diagnosed with severe aplastic anemia.
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Meet Rinoa
Rinoa had an MRI due to headaches and, later, double vision. Doctors found a cancerous brain tumor called medulloblastoma and was soon referred to St. Jude.