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.
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 Marleigh's, 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
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Meet Yamila
Yamila experienced cancer three times and is now celebrating four years of remission. Thanks to St. Jude and supporters like you, her journey as a musician, avid animal lover and cancer survivor continues.
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Meet Mayela
Mayela is an extrovert who loves to play and have fun. She recently finished treatment for acute myeloid leukemia.
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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.
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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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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.
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Fun summer activities for everyone
When they're not undergoing checkups or traveling to St. Jude for treatment, these nine patients are doing what any kid their age is doing – taking vacations.
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How St. Jude patients spent their time during quarantine
While difficult at times, quarantining during COVID-19 has allowed St. Jude patients and their families, while respecting social distance, to let their creativity flourish in ways that has brought them closer together. See how some of our patients spent their time during quarantine.
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How patients spent the summer
From the woods to the ocean, St. Jude patients and their families took plenty of exciting trips this summer! Read about their adventures.
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Meet Woods
Woods was 3 years old when he was diagnosed with brain cancer. He is being treated at St. Jude, where his family will never receive a bill.
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Meet Diana
Diana is a teenager from Honduras who survived acute lymphoblasitc leukemia and celebrated her Quinceañera.
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Meet Damien
For several months, Damien was unwell. But when he started to lose his balance and experience headaches, his parents worried that it was something more serious.
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Meet Chloe
When Chloe was found to suffer from cancer , her mom asked the pediatrician: Where would you send your child? The pediatrician didn't hesitate.
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Meet Cassidy
Cassidy has two sisters with whom she is close, and they've been with her every step of the way as she undergoes treatment for blood cancer.
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Meet Carlos
Carlos had always been an active kid who enjoyed jumping, climbing and running. So when he stopped doing those activities altogether, his parents became concerned, eventually leading to a diagnosis of neuroblastoma.
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Meet Camila
Camila’s family traveled from Puerto Rico for her treatment. “It hasn’t always been easy,” said her mom. “But we’re so grateful for everything at St. Jude.”