"When we heard the word 'cancer,' we felt sad and weak," said Angel, Mayela's dad. "Our hearts broke for the pain and suffering our daughter would have to face."
Mayela began treatment in Puerto Rico for acute myeloid leukemia, a type of blood cancer, but was soon referred to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Her family was familiar with St. Jude – they’d seen commercials for the hospital.

St. Jude patient Mayela poses with her puppet during filming for her TV spot
At St. Jude, Mayela underwent a bone marrow transplant in August 2018, with her dad serving as her donor. Her parents are thankful for the treatment and care she received.
When we walked through the doors of St. Jude, we felt we could breathe again. We trust it was God who brought us to the right place. We never imagined how beautiful it would be.
Angel, Mayela's dad
Mayela is an extrovert who enjoys learning her syllables, doing makeup on her dolls and playing with her mom.
“The attention, the dedication and the love the staff show to the parents and the patients is incredible,” said Angel. “We love the way doctors sit with us to explain every step of the process and how quick they are to respond to our needs. We love the happiness and how comfortable the staff make the families and patients feel. We love that St. Jude keeps looking for the cure for cancer.”

St. Jude patient Mayela during her filming with St. Jude supporter Luis Fonsi
St. Jude is leading the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. We won't stop until no child dies from cancer.
Mayela has finished treatment and now visits St. Jude every six weeks. She’s in second grade and loves to play with dolls and do crafts. “She’s an extrovert, always talking,” said Karen, Mayela's mom. “She loves to make videos and have fun.”
Meet more patients
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Meet Patient Mikayla
Over Christmas 2020, something was wrong with then one-year-old Mikayla. Referred to St. Jude, her cancer was identified as acute myeloid leukemia. Mikayla successfully underwent chemotherapy.
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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 Tina
Tina was referred to St. Jude after she was found to have a brain tumor. St. Jude has given her family hope.
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Meet Charlotte
Charlotte and her family face a long road to recovery following her treatment for a rare disease called aplastic anemia.
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Meet Ashtyn
When Ashtyn’s family learned she had a type of cancerous brain tumor called a medulloblastoma, they turned to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
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Meet Harmony
Harmony is artistic, detailed-oriented and loves to debate. When she noticed something was wrong on her walks to class, no one expected the cause to be a stage four Wilms tumor.
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Meet Azalea
When Azalea was found to have rhabdomyosarcoma, her parents, Simone and Ricardo, traveled from Jamaica to St. Jude so Azalea would receive the best care.
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Meet Kenlie & Jaycee
Kenlie and Jaycee had a lot in common-they attended the same school and loved to make up dance routines and joke around. And they both fought cancer at St. Jude.
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Meet Jesús
In June 2015, Jesús’ family learned he suffered from a type of soft tissue cancer. “I’m thankful that someplace like St. Jude exists,” says his mom.
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Meet Kaylee
Kaylee has a big, beautiful smile, and loves to dance with her parents and sister. When tests revealed she suffered from a brain tumor, her family was devastated.
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Meet Phoenix
Christmas Day plans for Phoenix’s family didn’t include a life-altering trip to the hospital. But at St. Jude, this close-knit family has been given hope.
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Meet Sebastian
Nothing prepared Sebastian's family for the day they learned he suffered from a rare brain tumor. “We’re grateful there is a place like St. Jude,” said his mom.
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Meet Matthew
Matthew seemed to have a cold he just couldn't shake. But when a chest X-ray showed a severely enlarged thymus, he was rushed to St. Jude by helicopter.
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Sparrow's Story
Sparrow is a quiet, cautious baby who loves to cuddle. Her favorite person is her big brother, Jace.
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Kyler's Story
Kyler's family never thought he would have cancer. With St. Jude by their side, they're battling it one day at a time.