As Chili’s employees, Austin’s parents were frequently involved in fundraisers for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. But when their son was diagnosed with kidney cancer in 2011, the family traveled to the hospital they had helped so many times before. Today, they continue to support St. Jude by participating in Chili's upcoming Create-A-Pepper campaign during the month of September.
After Austin was treated for a hernia in his hometown in Louisiana, scans revealed that the then 4-year-old had a large mass on his kidney. “We were in shock and disbelief,” said Austin’s father, Andrew. Austin and his family were immediately referred to St. Jude.
“Because of our work experience with Chili’s, we knew that Austin’s treatment would be covered, but we didn’t know about all of the additional things that St. Jude takes care of,” said Andrew. 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.
During his stay at St. Jude, Austin underwent surgery to remove the tumor as well as six rounds of chemotherapy. During treatment, Austin continued being the enthusiastic and energetic boy he’s always been. “It was really shocking to his oncology team to see how active and upbeat Austin remained during treatment,” said his mother. “He never let anything get him down.”
Today, the family is back in Louisiana and returns to St. Jude every six months for scans and checkups. Austin likes to spend time outside with friends and ride his bike. He'll be starting fourth grade this fall.
Since Austin’s father continues to work at the Chili’s in their hometown, the family took part in the restaurant’s national Create-A-Pepper campaign during the month of September.
During this annual campaign, employees at participating Chili’s restaurants nationwide encourage guests to make a donation to St. Jude and receive a signature chili pepper coloring sheet.
Chili's proclaimed September 21 as St. Jude Day at more than 1,300 participating restaurants in the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico. On this day, Chili's celebrated by giving a minimum of $100,000 donation. Chili's Grill & Bar has raised more than $63 million for the hospital since joining the St. Jude mission in 2002.
You, too, can help give hope to kids, like Austin, who are fighting life-threatening illnesses.
Meet more patients
-
Meet Jose
After he was born, José stopped eating and lost much weight. A local doctor confirmed he had brain cancer. Surgery was performed to remove a brain mass and he was referred to St. Jude.
-
Meet Carl
At 3 years old, Carl had leg pain and his belly began to swell. He had a cancerous tumor above a kidney. He was referred to St. Jude where he received treatment.
-
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.
-
Meet Myla
Myla’s mom found that her little girl wasn’t feeling well. Rushed to St. Jude, four-year-old Myla was diagnosed with a blood cancer called acute megakaryoblastic leukemia.
-
Meet Brayden
Brayden received chemotherapy as well as proton therapy for medulloblastoma at the first proton therapy center in the world dedicated solely to children.
-
Meet Eli
At just 6 years old, Eli was diagnosed with osteosarcoma. His family was referred to St. Jude for his treatment and Eli underwent surgery to remove the tumor and a portion of his tibia.
-
Meet Max
Max traveled from China, with the Illinois couple who adopted him, to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital where he and his family received lifesaving treatment and comforting support in equal measure.
-
Meet Nova
Though Nova's eye cancer is aggressive and she is being treated for a second time, her parents know the doctors at St. Jude will stop at nothing to help their baby girl live.
-
Meet Aspen
Aspen was not yet two when diagnosed with neuroblastoma. She was treated in the Philippines but six months later, the cancer was spreading so she was referred to St. Jude.
-
Meet Keegan
Before age 2, Keegan was diagnosed with leukemia and her family was referred to St. Jude where doctors immediately got to work trying to save her life.
-
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.
-
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.
-
Meet Aaron-James
At age 2, after being diagnosed with sickle cell disease, Aaron-James came to St. Jude where he loves talking to the nurses and doctors.
-
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.
-
Meet Leah
Leah is a big sister who loves dresses, shopping, singing and helping in the kitchen. In March 2019, she was referred to St. Jude for acute lymphoblastic leukemia treatment, which included a transplant with her mother as her donor.