During the fall of 2017, Tina became nauseous and started to throw up almost daily. Her parents, Vicente and Marina, took her to the pediatrician, who determined that Tina had a virus.
But 10 days later, Tina was still sick. “We went to the hospital,” Vicente said. “Within 40 minutes, they told us Tina had a brain tumor.” A biopsy revealed the tumor was a type of brain cancer called medulloblastoma.
St. Jude patient Tina with her dad
“When we learned Tina had cancer, it was the worst news we’ve ever received,” Vicente said. “You never think something like this could happen to you.”
Tina’s family arrived at St. Jude in January 2018. Her treatment included 30 sessions of proton therapy and four months of chemotherapy. Her family is thankful for the care she’s received — and how much St. Jude provided for their family.
“St. Jude took the financial worry away,” said Vicente. “St. Jude allows families like ours to have our child treated with the best team behind us.”
Tina is now finished with treatment and returns for regular scans. She is an honor student who loves to play tennis and spend time watching videos or playing cards with her sister.
St. Jude kept our family together ... it's a little piece of heaven on earth.
Help our families focus on their sick child, not medical bills.
When you donate monthly, your gift means families, like Tina's, 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.
Meet more patients
-
Meet David
David is an outgoing boy from Honduras. After he received a diagnosis of blood cancer, David was immediately referred to St. Jude.
-
Meet Bridget
As an active kid, Bridget's partial amputation of her leg was incredibly difficult. But she isn't letting that get in the way of living her fullest life.
-
Meet Bella
Originally from India, 13-month-old Bella was referred to St. Jude after pulling through surgery to remove her brain tumor. Today, thanks to St. Jude, she's thriving.
-
Meet Riku
While treatment for medulloblastoma is a difficult journey for 4-year-old Riku, his parents, Noriko and Jun, are there to give him strength and support along the way.
-
Kindergarten and beyond
Here's a look at three patients who have graduated from the The St. Jude School Program by Chili’s over the years, and where they are now.
-
Meet Kris
The rare blood disorder that former St. Jude patient Kris was diagnosed with now is the inspiration for the art she creates.
-
Meet Charlotte
Charlotte and her family face a long road to recovery following her treatment for a rare disease called aplastic anemia.
-
Meet Josiah
Josiah has been through a lot in his young life and continues to face more challenges than most. But this happy little boy has no shortage of joy.
-
Meet Cohen
Cohen and his family didn't expect to find themselves at St. Jude, nor did they expect to find overwhelming coverage for anything they might need.
-
Meet Cole
Cole is an active kid, who enjoys hiking with his dog, Stannis. Even a brain tumor can't diminish his love of life and its adventures.
-
Meet Gustavo
Gustavo beat cancer once, but when it came back, his family made the long journey from Guatemala to St. Jude so he could be treated.
-
Meet Rylee
Rylee is an outgoing girl. When she started to complain that her left leg hurt, an MRI revealed a mass on her femur. Rylee is receiving lifesaving treatment at St. Jude.
-
Meet Charley
Charley led her college fundraising team for St. Jude just months before she became a patient there herself.
-
Meet Slater
Slater's best friend is his older brother, Sawyer. With Sawyer's support, along with that of his family, Slater's getting what he needs while undergoing treatment for neuroblastoma.
-
How patients spent their spring breaks
From a visit to the world's largest chess piece to the snowy mountains of Montana, these patients had exciting spring breaks to talk about!
