When Maziya was born prematurely, blood tests revealed that she was also born with sickle cell disease, a chronic blood disorder. Her mom, Theresa, knew she carried the sickle cell trait, but didn't realize her husband carried the trait as well.
Tiny Maziya stayed in a local hospital for two-and-a-half months, and then was transferred to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital for sickle cell treatment.
Maziya received a blood transfusion, and ongoing care has included a daily medication regimen of penicillin, vitamin D and hydroxyurea. Research conducted at St. Jude, which has one of the largest pediatric sickle cell disease programs in the country, showed that hydroxyurea — already in use for adult sickle cell patients — was safe and effective for use in infants and toddlers.
And St. Jude families never receive a bill for treatment, travel, housing or food — because all they should worry about is helping their child live.
Six years later, when Maziya’s little sister, Maddalynn, was born, the family was prepared when they learned she, too, had sickle cell disease. And they knew Maddalynn would receive world-class care at St. Jude, alongside her sister.
St. Jude's sickle cell disease program
St. Jude has a deep and longstanding commitment to children with sickle cell disease. Scientists at the hospital have been researching the disease since the institution opened in 1962.
With more than 750 patients in its sickle cell program, St. Jude remains one of the leaders in the crusade to spare children the suffering this chronic disease causes.
“We learned a lot with Maziya, and then it was easier for us with Maddalynn,” explained Theresa. “That’s what I love about St. Jude. If I don’t know what to do, I can call St. Jude. I call, they pick up the phone, and answer my questions step by step.”
Maziya is now 9 years old and doing well.
She started reading at the age of 3, and her favorite subject is math. Maddalynn is 4 years old and likes to play with dolls and cars. Her ongoing treatment at St. Jude includes a daily penicillin regimen.
Maziya helps her little sister with taking her medicine. “St. Jude helped us all learn about sickle cell and what to do,” said Theresa.
Help give hope to kids, like Maddalynn and Maziya, who are fighting life-threatening illnesses.
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. We won’t stop until no child dies from cancer.
Meet more patients
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Meet Weiming
Weiming was diagnosed with a rare disease, an immunodeficiency known as bubble boy disease and came to St. Jude at just four months from his home country of China.
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Meet Twila
Twila was brought to her local hospital for an ear infection. When the pain didn’t resolve, doctors ran tests and found brain cancer. She was referred to St. Jude and placed on a treatment plan.
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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 Jose
After he was born, José stopped eating and lost much weight. A local doctor confirmed he had brain cancer. Surgery was performed to remove a brain mass and he was referred to St. Jude.
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Meet Carl
At 3 years old, Carl had leg pain and his belly began to swell. He had a cancerous tumor above a kidney. He was referred to St. Jude where he received treatment.
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Meet Ay'Den
Ay'Den is a kind boy with an easy smile. When he collapsed, his family was afraid he had COVID-19. Ay'Den would be diagnosed with leukemia and referred to St. Jude.
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Meet Myla
Myla’s mom found that her little girl wasn’t feeling well. Rushed to St. Jude, four-year-old Myla was diagnosed with a blood cancer called acute megakaryoblastic leukemia.
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Meet Brayden
Brayden received chemotherapy as well as proton therapy for medulloblastoma at the first proton therapy center in the world dedicated solely to children.
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Meet Eli
At just 6 years old, Eli was diagnosed with osteosarcoma. His family was referred to St. Jude for his treatment and Eli underwent surgery to remove the tumor and a portion of his tibia.
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Meet Max
Max traveled from China, with the Illinois couple who adopted him, to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital where he and his family received lifesaving treatment and comforting support in equal measure.
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Meet Nova
Though Nova's eye cancer is aggressive and she is being treated for a second time, her parents know the doctors at St. Jude will stop at nothing to help their baby girl live.
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Meet Aspen
Aspen was not yet two when diagnosed with neuroblastoma. She was treated in the Philippines but six months later, the cancer was spreading so she was referred to St. Jude.
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Meet Keegan
Before age 2, Keegan was diagnosed with leukemia and her family was referred to St. Jude where doctors immediately got to work trying to save her life.
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Meet Eduardo
At 6 months old, Eduardo was referred to St. Jude where he was diagnosed with liver cancer. His treatment included surgery to remove the mass and chemotherapy.
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Meet Thiago
Thiago loves to dance to the rhythm of his dad's djembe. In 2019, he was born with bubble boy disease and was referred to St. Jude where he underwent a new gene therapy to save his life.