Twila is a happy toddler who loves snacks and her favorite characters from the cartoons she watches with her older brother. Twila’s mom calls her little girl “Ms. Independent.”
But Twila’s days are filled with more than preschool wonder. Twila has brain cancer and is a patient of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
St. Jude patient Twila held by her mom
Just before her first birthday, Twila became reactive to loud noises. Though she was too young to talk, her mom pieced together that her baby was experiencing headaches. The family brought her in to the local hospital where she was treated for an ear infection. When the pain didn’t resolve, doctors ran more tests and discovered she had brain cancer.
Thankfully, Twila and her family were referred to St. Jude, where doctors placed her on a treatment plan that included chemotherapy.
Families, like Twila's, will never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food.
St. Jude has been amazing. It’s home-like and just so different from other hospitals. The kids are able to have fun.
—Katelyn, Twila's mom
Your donation helps give kids like Twila the chance to grow up.
Meet more patients
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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 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 Griffin
As an Air Force family stationed abroad, Griffin’s family was living in Germany when he was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia on Veteran’s Day 2019.
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Meet Lydia
Lydia has an unusual hobby for a kid her age: reading scholarly articles in medical journals. But not just any articles. She’s interested in those authored by Dr. Gajjar, the man – along with nurses and researchers and others at St. Jude – working to save her life.