Meet Zahaan
age 8, brain tumor
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 8th birthday party.
Whatever happens, something good will come out of this, I believe Zahaan has a bigger purpose.
Zahaan's dad
Help our families focus on their sick child, not medical bills.
When you donate monthly, your gift means families, like Zahaan'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
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Our Patient Stories
Be inspired by stories about our patients on their journeys from diagnosis to treatment of childhood cancer and other pediatric diseases treated at St. Jude.
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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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Meet Tina
Tina was referred to St. Jude after she was found to have a brain tumor. St. Jude has given her family hope.
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Meet Smyrna
Smyrna is a teenager who has plenty of hobbies. Even with a diagnosis of medulloblastoma, she's determined to continue the active life she leads.
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Thank you for supporting St. Jude in 2020
The kids and families of St. Jude are grateful for your support.
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Meet Mary Browder
When Mary Browder was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma, her family never believed she would get back to a normal life. Today, her diagnosis is just one part of her story.
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Meet Abraham
After a CT scan revealed Abraham had a mass on his brain, identified as a cancerous brain tumor called a medulloblastoma, his family turned to St. Jude for help.
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Meet Mia
Mia is a friendly, caring child who was referred to St. Jude from her home country of Nicaragua when she was 5 years old. She was diagnosed with anaplastic ependymoma, a malignant tumor in her brain.
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Meet patient Lillian (Lily)
Lillian (Lily) and her sister, Emmy, are inseparable, and always on the move. St. Jude is keeping them that way.
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Meet Marina
Marina is a joyful 2-year-old who loves to laugh and dance with her siblings. She was referred to St. Jude after a white glimmer in her pupil led to her being diagnosed with retinoblastoma, an eye cancer.
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Meet Azalea
When Azalea was found to have rhabdomyosarcoma, her parents, Simone and Ricardo, traveled from Jamaica to St. Jude so Azalea would receive the best care.
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Meet Ashtyn
When Ashtyn’s family learned she had a type of cancerous brain tumor called a medulloblastoma, they turned to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
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Meet Maelin-Kate
Maelin-Kate was diagnosed with a rare blood disease at age 5, but her mom says, "Every day, she finds a reason why it's the best day ever."
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Meet Kaitlyn
Kaitlyn first came to St. Jude at just over a year old when she was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma, a soft tissue cancer. Despite all she’s been through, her smile shines bright.
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Meet Eleanor
Eleanor is a determined baby who arrived at St. Jude on her first birthday. She was diagnosed with down syndrome and acute myeloid leukemia, a type of blood cancer.