In May 2018, Emma developed headaches – “really bad ones,” she said – and nausea. Her parents, Kevin and Evie, assumed it was from a virus. Emma was in and out of the pediatrician’s office and even had her eyes checked, but no one could pinpoint the cause of her headaches.
Finally, a gastrointestinal doctor ordered an MRI, to make sure all the bases were covered. The results showed a mass on Emma’s brain, identified as a type of brain cancer called medulloblastoma. After surgery to remove the tumor, Emma was referred to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
St. Jude shares the breakthroughs it makes, and every child saved at St. Jude means doctors and scientists worldwide can use that knowledge to save thousands more children.
Emma’s treatment included proton therapy and chemotherapy. “St. Jude provides comfort. In this situation, you’re anxious, so much is unknown, and here, that goes away,” Kevin said. “You know you’re in the best place, and you know your child is getting the best care.”
Some of the best doctors in the world are here, and what they focus on every day is curing kids.
Now finished with treatment, Emma visits St. Jude for regular scans. She’s excited to get back to all the things she loves. Before her diagnosis, Emma kept busy with softball, gymnastics and cheerleading. As a matter of fact, just days before her family learned she had brain cancer, Emma played in a softball tournament.
“She’s a girly-girl who will also get in the dirt,” said Evie. “Emma and her twin brother love riding four-wheelers and playing outside together.”
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 Weiming
Weiming was diagnosed with a rare disease, an immunodeficiency known as bubble boy disease and came to St. Jude at just four months from his home country of China.
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Meet Twila
Twila was brought to her local hospital for an ear infection. When the pain didn’t resolve, doctors ran tests and found brain cancer. She was referred to St. Jude and placed on a treatment plan.
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Meet Avyan
Avyan carries himself with confidence and strength beyond his years. His manner has given fortitude to his family as they walk through an unimaginable reality.
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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.
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The kids and families of St. Jude are grateful for your support that helps fuel the mission: Finding cures. Saving children.
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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.
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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 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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.