Meet Sebastian

Nothing prepared Sebastian's family for the day they learned he suffered from a brain tumor. “We’re grateful there is a place like St. Jude,” said his mom.

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St. Jude patient Sebastian smiling with his father.

St. Jude patient Sebastian with his dad

 
 
Red background with patient art stars, hearts, branches in a dark red.
St. Jude patient Sebastian smiling while sitting on a hospital bed.

St. Jude patient Sebastian

 

Sebastian's story

In June 2014, when Sebastian was 6 years old, his parents, Belen and Andres, learned their son had a brain tumor. Within days, he underwent surgery to remove the tumor and was diagnosed with medulloblastoma.

We were devastated. Sebastian had always been a sweet, caring child with an adventurous heart. It was difficult to imagine he was so sick.

- Belén, Sebastian's mom

 
 

Sebastian was referred to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital for treatment because he met the criteria for a clinical trial that adapted therapy based on the molecular make-up and clinical risk of each patient’s tumor.

His parents packed their bags, and along with Sebastian and his sister, Valentina, traveled more than 1,000 miles from Florida to Memphis, Tennessee, where they remained for several months.  His treatment included six weeks of radiotherapy and intravenous chemotherapy.

 
St. Jude patient Sebastian looking at the camera while lying down on a hospital bed.

St. Jude patient Sebastian

 
 
St. Jude patient Sebastián celebrating 'No More Chemo' with his smiling mother and father.

St. Jude patient Sebastián with his parents

 

We have no words to describe St. Jude. Everything is designed so families only have to worry about their children.

- Belén, Sebastian's mom

 
 

Sebastian returned home on December 31, 2014, and had nearly a year of oral chemotherapy for maintenance to attempt to prevent tumor growth. 

At first, Sebastian returned to St. Jude every three months for checkups. Now, he returns annually for checkups with his care team in the Neuro-oncology Division.

 
St. Jude patient Sebastian smiling with his dad in the background.

St. Jude patient Sebastian with his dad

 
 
St. Jude patient Sebastian with his family in a living room space.

St. Jude patient Sebastian with his family

 

Where is Sebastian now?

Sebastian is on track to receive both his high school diploma and an associate’s degree from a community college in 2026. He wants to be a biomedical engineer one day.

In 2024 and 2025, Sebastian participated in the St. Jude Walk near his home in Florida. He formed a school team. To motivate his teachers and classmates, he shared his personal experiences at St. Jude.

Every time I go back to St. Jude (for checkups) and see the kids who are sick, they always have a smile on their face, and that always motivates me.

- St. Jude patient Sebastian

 
 
St. Jude patient Sebastián standing in front of the St. Jude Thaddeus statue.

St. Jude patient Sebastián

 

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