Meet Samara
When Samara was referred to St. Jude for treatment following her diagnosis with WAGR syndrome, her family found hope in the face of overwhelming challenges.
St. Jude patient Samara
St Jude patient Samara with her mom
Samara's story
When music plays, Samara can be found rocking her small body to the beat. The little girl does not discriminate when it comes to musical genres. Whether it's the lively rhythms of salsa or the familiar mariachi sounds of her native country, Samara moves joyfully with them all.
"She likes to dance a lot. She likes all kinds of music, she dances to everything she hears," said her mother, Jazmin.
When Samara was 3 months old at the beginning of 2023, her parents noticed dots in her eyes. After undergoing several tests, doctors diagnosed the girl with WAGR syndrome. People with WAGR syndrome have a higher risk of developing Wilms tumor, the most common type of kidney cancer in children.
St Jude patient Samara
St. Jude patient Samara with her parents
Doctors in her home country monitored Samara regularly, and in November 2023, tests revealed that she had Wilms tumor. Samara underwent treatment and was then referred to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
Jazmin and Samara arrived at St. Jude in February 2024 and returned home in August. Samara returns to St. Jude for regular checkups.
St. Jude is leading the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases.
She has more energy, plays a lot more and runs a lot more. There is not a day that we are not thankful that she was able to finish treatment well, that she is with us and continues to be healthy.
- Samara's mom
St. Jude patient Samara, with her mom
St. Jude patient Samara with her parents
St. Jude won't stop until no child — anywhere — dies from cancer.