In 2018, 13-year-old Natalie underwent an MRI to find the cause of her knee pain. It seemed likely to be an injury from cheerleading, but after her stepsister, Olivia, was diagnosed with bone cancer that summer, no one wanted to take any chances.
Natalie’s MRI did show something unusual – possibly a bone infection. But the biopsy proved Natalie had osteosarcoma – same as Olivia – in her right tibia.
In a matter of days, Natalie joined her stepsister at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
When Natalie arrived in October 2018, Olivia was a month into the osteosarcoma treatment that Natalie would also complete.
They received chemotherapy and limb-saving surgery, in which the affected area of bone was removed and replaced with a rod, as well as physical therapy.
St. Jude patient Olivia (left) and Natalie (right) walk with their IV poles down the hallway.
They became “battle buddies,” keeping each other upbeat and passing the time with normal teen stuff, like makeup and their favorite shows.
I had someone really close to me that knew almost exactly how I felt and what I was going through.
St. Jude is leading the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases.
Both girls have now finished treatment and gone home cancer-free and are back at school. They return to St. Jude for checkups. Their families hope their surprising story will help spread awareness.
Meet more patients
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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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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.
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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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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.