Meet Lizbeth
When Lizbeth was referred to St. Jude for treatment of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), she and her family discovered hope despite the challenges.
St. Jude patient Lizbeth
St Jude patient Lizbeth
Lizbeth's story
Lizbeth had been sick for weeks in the summer of 2021, unable to shake off a high fever. A visit to a hospital in her home state of Tennessee and several tests later revealed that the little girl has hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), a rare disorder in which the immune system no longer works properly.
Without treatment, HLH can lead to severe organ damage and death. The diagnosis came as a complete shock to Lizbeth’s mother, Deysi. Doctors referred Lizbeth to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
"In a half hour, they were there,” Deysi recalled. "The paramedics told me, don’t worry, you are going to the best place in the world, and that was a source of calm for me after so many days of uncertainty."
St Jude patient Lizbeth with her mom
Once at St. Jude, she was welcomed by doctors, a social worker and interpreters who spoke Spanish, her native language. Deysi had to leave her job to take care of her daughter and felt more peace to hear that families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food.
St. Jude patient Lizbeth with her sister
Where would we get so much money to pay for treatment like this? If St. Jude didn’t exist, I don’t even want to imagine it.
- Lizbeth's mom
St. Jude is leading the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases.
St Jude patient Lizbeth
Lizbeth is doing well, her mother said. She walks, runs and enjoys painting and swimming. She returned to school and math is among her favorite subjects.
I will be forever grateful to St. Jude, its staff and the donors who make treatment possible for so many children, like Lizbeth.
- Lizbeth's mom
St. Jude patient Lizbeth with her mom and sister
St. Jude won't stop until no child — anywhere — dies from cancer.
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