Meet Zahaan

Zahaan has always demonstrated a remarkable concern for others. Even as a little boy, he has been known to go to his piggy bank to buy food for those in need.

And he donated his hair to a charitable organization for sick kids just a month before he himself was diagnosed with cancer.

Zahaan had been having severe headaches, then episodic vomiting. His pediatric neurologist ordered an MRI to rule out the worst possibilities.

Instead, the scan revealed a tumor, a type of brain cancer called medulloblastoma. Zahaan underwent surgery to remove the tumor at a hospital near his home.  

Although other treatment options were available in their home country of Singapore, the family sought a referral to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

St. Jude is home to the first proton therapy center in the world dedicated solely to children with cancer.

Proton therapy targets cancers while minimizing damage to healthy tissue and organs, which in turn can reduce the risk of treatment-related side effects.

In addition to proton therapy, Zahaan received chemotherapy at St. Jude.

Now 8 years old and back at home, he continues to exhibit a heart for others. He recently collected donations for St. Jude at his 8^th birthday party.