For weeks in early 2016, 2-year-old Londyn wasn’t well. Doctors thought she had pneumonia. When tests revealed Londyn was suffering from acute lymphoblastic leukemia, her parents, Anthony and Kascie, were devastated. When they arrived at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital with Londyn, they were overwhelmed and scared.
But within moments of arriving, they felt a sense of peace. “Everyone was so welcoming,” Kascie said. “The doctors, the nurses, the cleaning staff.” Treatments invented at St. Jude have helped push the overall childhood cancer survival rate from 20% to more than 80% since it opened more than 50 years ago. St. Jude is working to drive the overall survival rate for childhood cancer to 90 percent, and we won’t stop until no child dies from cancer.
Londyn’s treatment includes chemotherapy, but because her cancer did not go into remission, she also received a bone marrow transplant. Kascie has stayed at St. Jude with Londyn, and Anthony has traveled back and forth from home, so that he can continue working. “We’re thankful for everything St. Jude has provided for us,” Anthony said. “St. Jude helps to take the worry away.”
Throughout everything, Londyn has remained a sassy, happy little girl. She loves her baby dolls, dancing and playing hide and seek. “Londyn is my sunshine,” said Kascie. “We’re so grateful for everything St. Jude has done for us, for our family.”
Help families, like Londyn's, focus on what matters most
Families never receive a bill from St. Jude for anything, because all they should worry about is helping their child live.
Meet more patients
-
Meet Fletcher
Fletcher is a 12-year-old boy and a huge Cleveland Browns fan. So it was a dream come true when he announced the team's pick in the NFL draft on April 23.
-
Meet Jamia
Jamia is weathering difficulties far beyond her years as she undergoes treatment for neuroblastoma, a type of cancer arising from nerve cells.
-
Meet Deuce
Deuce is a fun-loving kid who's undergoing treatment for a rare type of blood cancer.
-
Meet Marric
Marric and his family had specific needs going into his treatment for lymph system cancer, but they never imagined how many of them would be met and exceeded at St. Jude.
-
Pushing through hard times
Colton is a 9-year-old boy who's used to being active in every area of life. And while an aggresive form of kidney cancer might have threatened that, St. Jude was right by his side.
-
Meet Caitlyn
Being diagnosed with a brain tumor was one of the scariest experiences for Caitlyn and her family. But her fears are being eased with St. Jude by their side.
-
Meet Alana
Alana didn't let a cancer diagnosis get in the way of her dreams for the future. Neither did St. Jude.
-
Meet patient Lillian (Lily)
Lillian (Lily) and her sister, Emmy, are inseparable, and always on the move. St. Jude is keeping them that way.
-
Meet Declan
Declan and his sister are best friends. So when he had to come to St. Jude for treatment, she was there by his side every step of the way.
-
Meet Maryelle
Maryelle was diagnosed with a rare disorder that left her family with little hope.
-
This holiday season, our families are grateful for your support
This holiday season, you help bring hope, peace, comfort and joy to St. Jude families. Thank you for your support.
-
Meet Maelin-Kate
Maelin-Kate was diagnosed with a rare blood disease at age 5, but her mom says, "Every day, she finds a reason why it's the best day ever."
-
Meet Carson
When Carson's cancer came back, his family turned to St. Jude once again for treatment for an aggressive form of blood cancer.
-
Meet Jazzy
Jazzy is a playful person who loves going to the beach with her dogs. When she was diagnosed with brain cancer, her family turned to St. Jude for help.
-
Meet Julián
Julián is an intelligent, funny boy who likes to play basketball and soccer. His family was referred from Mexico to St. Jude for blood cancer treatment.