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
-
Reason to celebrate
When patients receiving chemotherapy finish treatment, St. Jude celebrates with a No More Chemo party.
-
Meet Olivia
Olivia's parents have always been supporters of St. Jude, but it wasn't until Olivia was admitted that they truly understood what a special place St. Jude is.
-
Meet Hadley
Hadley and her family weren't expecting to experience hope when she was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia, but that's what they found at St. Jude.
-
Meet Bailey
St. Jude patient Bailey surprises St. Jude Childhood Cancer Awareness Month ambassador and actress Lucy Hale.
-
Meet Mariangeles
Mariangeles was treated at St. Jude when she was a teenager. Today, she helps raise funds and awareness for the organization that saved her life.
-
Meet Jordyn
A competitive gymnast, Jordyn's aches and pains were thought to be a sports injury. Then, she was found to have blood cancer.
-
Meet Elliott
Elliott is social and loves the outdoors. He also loves St. Jude, where he's being treated for leukemia.
-
Meet Kayla
Kayla endured two-and-a-half years of chemotherapy with grace and style. She ends it with a St. Jude tradition: the "No 'Mo Chemo" party.
-
Meet Tayde
As a child, Tayde traveled from Mexico when her doctor referred her to St. Jude for cancer treatment. Today, her dream of becoming a mother has finally come true.
-
Meet Felicity
With a diagnosis of 5 tumors in her brain and spine, Felicity is facing a struggle, but you wouldn't know it by the constant smile on her face.
-
Meet Elani
At St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Elani receives treatment for sickle cell disease, a group of blood disorders that prevent the normal flow of blood in the body.
-
Meet Eden
In 2014, tests revealed Eden had cancer. Her family turned to St. Jude, where Eden is undergoing two-and-a-half years of chemotherapy.
-
Who You Help Calendar
Your support makes a big difference in the lives of patients and their families receiving treatment and care at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
-
Meet Alana
Alana didn't let a cancer diagnosis get in the way of her dreams for the future. Neither did St. Jude.
-
Meet Imani
Imani was diagnosed with cancer at 5 weeks old. Her family feared the worst. But at St. Jude, there was hope for her future.