In September 2000, Mariangeles’ family learned she suffered from a type of blood cancer called acute myeloid leukemia. At St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Mariangeles underwent six months of chemotherapy, which she completed in 2001.
St. Jude has helped push the childhood cancer survival rate from 20% when we opened to 80% today. We won’t stop until no child dies from cancer.
Today, Mariangeles part of the St. Jude LIFE Study, the purpose of which is to learn about the health of adult survivors of childhood cancer and to reduce the late-effects of childhood cancer treatments.
She also works at ALSAC, the fundraising side of St. Jude. “I really wanted to be able to give back to the place that saved my life,” Mariangeles said.
Mariangeles with a photo of herself as a patient in2000
Mariangeles enjoys playing tennis and hanging out with her husband and friends.
“St. Jude means everything to me and my family,” she said. “It means happy times, it means the best of times.”
Support St. Jude and survivors like Mariangeles during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month in September. Let's end childhood cancer. Together.
September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
St. Jude is leading the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer.
Let's end childhood cancer. Together.
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Meet Griffin
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Meet Jean Pierre
At 18, Jean Pierre is headed to university. At three years old, he was treated at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital® for craniopharyngioma, a slow-growing brain tumor.
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Meet Ava
Five-year-old Ava had a cancerous brain tumor called medulloblastoma. Referred to St. Jude, she underwent a second surgery, proton therapy and chemotherapy.
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Meet Sariyah
In the summer of 2020, photos taken of St. Jude patient Sariyah by her mother showed signs of cancerous tumors in both eyes at the age of 18 months.
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Meet Patient Lucas
Around Thanksgiving of 2020, three-year-old Lucas was complaining of headaches. His parents thought he just wanted attention. An MRI indicated something more serious.
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Meet Eri'Elle
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Meet Scarlet
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Meet Gabe
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Meet Calvin
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Meet Lydia
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Meet Gracie
Gracie was eight months old when she was diagnosed with blood cancer. She underwent chemotherapy and physical, occupational and speech therapies at St. Jude.
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Meet Patient Mikayla
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