In May 2015, her second year of college, Katherin was found to suffer from a cancerous tumor called an undifferentiated small round cell sarcoma. Her doctor referred her for treatment at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
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.
The fact that St. Jude doesn’t charge us a cent means that all that stress and worry is gone, and we can focus on our daughter
"The fact that St. Jude doesn’t charge us a cent means that all that stress and worry is gone, and we can focus on our daughter," said Katherin’s mom, Amanda.
Katherin’s treatment at St. Jude includes 14 rounds of chemotherapy and two surgeries to remove the tumor.
While in treatment, she misses playing soccer and cuddling with her chihuahua, Bibi. But she knows she’s in the right place.
“I couldn’t miss anything else because St. Jude makes me feel at home,” Katherin said. “The care I receive at St. Jude is like no other. My family and my St. Jude family are fighting alongside me. Everyone encourages me and makes me feel like I can do anything.”
Help our families focus on their sick child, not medical bills.
When you donate monthly, your gift means families, like Katherin'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.
Meet more patients
-
Meet Azalea
When Azalea's family learned she had soft tissue cancer, they knew they wanted the best care for her. So they traveled from Jamaica to St. Jude to begin Azalea's treatment.
-
Meet patient Camila
After undergoing treatment in her home country of Nicaragua, Camila’s family turned to St. Jude for continuing care for acute myeloid leukemia.
-
Meet Hannah
After receiving a devastating diagnosis, Hannah's family turned to St. Jude, where they would be free to focus on her treatment.
-
Meet Azalea
When Azalea was found to have rhabdomyosarcoma, her parents, Simone and Ricardo, traveled from Jamaica to St. Jude so Azalea would receive the best care.
-
Meet patient Tyler
When Tyler was diagnosed with bone cancer, his family turned to St. Jude for help. Read his story.
-
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 Abigail
Abigail is a vibrant 5-year-old girl who likes to make new friends — whether it’s another St. Jude patient or one of the therapy dogs that visits St. Jude.
-
Meet Gracie
What Gracie's mother initially thought was appendicitis turned out to be a far worse diagnosis for Gracie's condition: acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
-
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 Leland
Despite fighting an aggressive brain tumor known as ATRT, Leland still loves to be silly and make people laugh. "He's strong and amazing," said his mom, Marisa.
-
Meet Cub
On a follow up visit to the doctor after a pneumonia diagnosis, Cub found out he also suffered from acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
-
Meet Mason
Mason and his dad, Matt, love to go fishing together. But when Mason became sick with cancer, it was hard to imagine they’d ever have moments like that again.
-
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 Kayla
Kayla endured two-and-a-half years of chemotherapy with grace and style. She ends it with a St. Jude tradition: the "No 'Mo Chemo" party.
-
Meet Jaiden
Jaiden’s family knew about St. Jude through a cousin who had been treated there years before. So when Jaiden was diagnosed with cancer, they knew where to turn.