For several months in late 2015, Marleigh experienced headaches that got increasingly worse. Her mom, Tanekka, was worried, but repeated trips to the doctor and the emergency room revealed nothing. Then, in early December, Marleigh was found to suffer from acute lymphoblastic leukemia, the most common form of childhood cancer. Tanekka was devastated. In 2005, she had battled cervical cancer, followed by a breast cancer diagnosis in 2013. She knew firsthand what her daughter was facing.
At St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Marleigh started chemotherapy immediately and her cancer is now in remission. Her treatment will last two-and-a-half years. 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.
Marleigh is in first grade and is an avid reader. She also loves animals and likes to take care of her family’s ducks, chickens, goats and donkey.
Soon after arriving at St. Jude, Tanekka knew she was at the best place possible for her daughter’s treatment and care. “St. Jude is the best hospital in the world,” said Tanekka. “We love our team of doctors. We can never repay them for what they’re doing for our daughter.” Marleigh’s favorite thing about St. Jude is her Child Life specialist, who has helped her understand what she’s going through.
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.
Marleigh understands the need to help other children through her diagnosis. Her strength is abundant. This is only part of her journey.
Help our families focus on their sick child, not medical bills.
When you donate monthly, your gift means families, like Lucas', 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 Kenlie
Over the last eight years, St. Jude patient Kenlie has undergone treatment for synovial sarcoma, and remains anything but discouraged.
-
Meet Natalie
On the day Natalie was supposed to start kindergarten, her family learned she had cancer. They came to St. Jude for the best chance at beating the disease.
-
Meet Alex, Mythias and Ty
Many friendships are made and cemented during the college experience, but Alex, Mythias and Ty didn’t meet in the dorms or class. Instead, they met at St. Jude.
-
Reason to celebrate
When patients receiving chemotherapy finish treatment, St. Jude celebrates with a No More Chemo party.
-
Meet Paislee
After Paislee's family received a diagnosis of acute lymphoblastic leukemia on her 6th birthday, they began a new chapter in their lives: defeating cancer.
-
Meet D'Avalon
D’Avalon has been fighting sickle cell disease since he was a newborn. But thanks to treatment at St. Jude, he's able to look to the future with optimism.
-
Meet Joshua
St. Jude patient Joshua recently took to the court to help end childhood cancer by fundraising for St. Jude.
-
Meet Pepe
Sonia never expected her family would need St. Jude. But in the past two years, she has experienced St. Jude as both a mother and a grandmother.
-
Meet Drew
St. Jude patient Drew is now finished with treatments. He's cancer-free and celebrated with a No Mo' Chemo party! Watch Drew's special milestone.
-
Meet Ty
After a CT scan revealed a mass the size of a small peach in Ty’s brain, his family made the journey from a California farm to St. Jude for further treatment.
-
Meet Calvin
Calvin, an outgoing and happy kid, finished treatment at St. Jude last year. The son of a FedEx employee, he's been selected for a great honor.
-
Meet Bryce
When Bryce was diagnosed with sickle cell disease shortly after his birth, his parents were fearful for his future.
-
Meet Tayde
Three-time childhood cancer survivor Tayde remains dedicated to St. Jude — the place that saved her life and enabled her to become a mom to daughter Tayde Sofia.
-
Meet Ally
When cancer tried to keep Ally from playing golf, St. Jude stepped in to help. Now, Ally will be playing in the 2017 FedEx St. Jude Classic.
-
Meet Daniel and Jimy
Daniel and Jimy are inseparable friends. But in addition to being good friends, both boys find themselves at St. Jude, undergoing treatment for leukemia.
