Last September, Woods complained of headaches, ran a fever and threw up in the mornings after he woke. His parents, Ashley and Henry, worried something was wrong.
Just before Woods’ fourth birthday, their fears were confirmed when a CT scan revealed Woods had a type of cancerous brain tumor called medulloblastoma.
St. Jude patient Woods with his favorite stuffed toy
We wanted to be where doctors saw hundreds of these types of cases.
Ashley and Henry were familiar with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and asked for a referral. “We wanted to be where doctors saw hundreds of these types of cases,” Henry said. Within days, the family arrived at St. Jude.
Treatments invented at St. Jude have helped push the overall childhood cancer survival rate from 20% to more than 80% since it opened more than 50 years ago. St. Jude is working to drive the overall survival rate for childhood cancer to 90%.
At St. Jude, Woods underwent surgery to remove the tumor, followed by radiation therapy and chemotherapy, which he completed in May 2018.
His family celebrated the end of his treatment with a No More Chemo party, attended by family, friends and Woods’ St. Jude care team.
St. Jude patient Woods with his mom, Ashley
Help our families focus on their sick child, not medical bills.
When you donate monthly, your gift means families, like Woods', 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
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Great Dad Jokes
One of our St. Jude dads has some awesome dad jokes! Watch his son's reaction.
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My daughter has cancer: A dad's story
Marcus reflects on having a daughter with cancer being treated at St. Jude.
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Meet Mya
This year, patient Mya, who's receiving treatment for sickle cell disease, was selected to have a FedEx plane named after her at the FedEx St. Jude Classic.
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Meet Luigi
Luigi and his family came from New York to receive treatment at St. Jude for medulloblastoma. This happy kid loves robots, country music and art.
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Meet Ari'Yanna
Ari'Yanna and her mom, D'Yana, are navigating the difficult, and at times painful, journey of sickle cell disease with St. Jude by their side.
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Meet Hadley
Hadley and her family weren't expecting to experience hope when she was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia, but that's what they found at St. Jude.
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Meet Elani
At St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Elani receives treatment for sickle cell disease, a group of blood disorders that prevent the normal flow of blood in the body.
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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.
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Meet David
David is an outgoing boy from Honduras. After he received a diagnosis of blood cancer, David was immediately referred to St. Jude.
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Celebrating Best Friends Day
Best Friends Day is June 8, but every day is Best Friends Day for St. Jude patients Sadie and Mia, who wear matching outfits and schedule appointments together.
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Meet Keeton
Five-year-old Keeton hasn’t let cancer slow him down. Find out what St. Jude means to Keeton's family.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Meet Kris
The rare blood disorder that former St. Jude patient Kris was diagnosed with now is the inspiration for the art she creates.
