Confetti, singing and cheering aren’t what you think of when you think of a hospital. But St. Jude isn’t just any hospital. And when patients receiving chemotherapy finish treatment, we celebrate with a No More Chemo party.
Treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia at St. Jude usually lasts more than two-and-a-half years, which can seem like forever to a child. But Kayla stayed positive and upbeat, even during the hardest times. And in 2015, Kayla was finally finished.
“Kayla's No More Chemo party was truly a dream come true,” said her mom. “Two-and-a-half years ago we were told that the day would come, and when it did, we were flooded with all sorts of emotions — feelings of excitement, euphoria and utter amazement filled our hearts and minds.”
Kayla, who is now 12, visits St. Jude for regular checkups. She attends a performing arts school, where she takes jazz, ballet and tap.
Adam began treatment for leukemia at St. Jude when he was a junior in high school. Early on in his treatment, he began to raise funds and awareness for the hospital. “They’ve gone above and beyond for me,” Adam said. “It’s important for me to give back, because my family has been given so much at no charge. St. Jude values lives at all costs for no cost to any family.”
Recently, Adam and his family celebrated the end of his treatment with a No More Chemo party, surrounded by his care team, friends and family. For a while, Adam, who is now 19, thought he’d study business in college, but now he’s thinking about medicine or fundraising instead. “Adam wants to work at St. Jude after college,” said his mom. “He feels like he’s discovered his life’s purpose through his diagnosis. He has such gratitude to everyone at St. Jude.”
Five-year-old Mabry’s No More Chemo celebration at St. Jude was a long time coming. She’d been receiving leukemia treatment for more than half her life. But this spring, the day finally came.
“Thanks to St. Jude, we’re ready to watch Mabry grow up and be a strong beautiful woman and help change lives like St. Jude has for us,” her mom said.
Mabry loves singing and dressing up like a princess at every opportunity, and will come back to St. Jude for regular checkups.
Mabry celebrates the end of chemo at her No More Chemo party.
Gideon with his parents (above) and grandparents (background).
Gideon was treated at St. Jude for a cancerous tumor called neuroblastoma, which requires an incredibly intensive treatment plan, especially for such a little guy. He endured chemotherapy, surgery, antibody therapy, radiation therapy and a bone marrow transplant — but his smile never waned.
Gideon’s dad said, “As soon as we got here, it was abundantly clear that St. Jude was by far the best place to be in a terrible, terrible situation.”
Gideon, who is 2 years old, recently concluded his rigorous treatment with a joyful No More Chemo party surrounded by his St. Jude care team and family, including his grandparents.
Help our families focus on their sick child, not medical bills.
When you donate, your gift means families 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 Kamryn
At 2 years old, Kamryn's bloodwork indicated he had a form of blood cancer called acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Doctors referred him to St. Jude where he would undergo more than 2 years of chemotherapy while growing to love activities like Music Therapy.
-
Meet Luxe
As a kindergartener, Luxe’s legs became so covered in bruises that her parents took her to the doctor. Luxe was diagnosed with severe aplastic anemia.
-
Meet Rinoa
Rinoa had an MRI due to headaches and, later, double vision. Doctors found a cancerous brain tumor called medulloblastoma and was soon referred to St. Jude.
-
Meet Adalyn
Adalyn had stomachaches that came and went with episodes of severe pain. At the ER, doctors found a large mass above her kidney, stage-4 high-risk neuroblastoma.
-
Meet Avyan
Avyan carries himself with confidence and strength beyond his years. His manner has given fortitude to his family as they walk through an unimaginable reality.
-
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.
-
Meet Eliza
Eliza’s pediatrician referred her to an ophthalmologist after testing her eyes. In turn, she was referred to St. Jude as a tumor was visible in her right eye.
-
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.
-
Meet Ava
At 6 years old, Ava had a lump on her neck and tests showed she had more lumps in her belly. Tests revealed that she had a cancerous tumor and was referred to St. Jude.
-
Meet Luna
When St. Jude patient Luna started to feel sick, her parents became concerned. Doctors in Guatemala confirmed what her parents had feared: Luna had leukemia.
-
Meet Gideon
After Gideon was diagnosed with stage 4 neuroblastoma, he was referred to St. Jude for immediate treatment.
-
Meet Brayden
Brayden received chemotherapy as well as proton therapy for medulloblastoma at the first proton therapy center in the world dedicated solely to children.
-
Meet Eri'Elle
Eri’Elle was just two years old when her troubles started. Her mother took her to a pediatrician and insisted they run tests to get to the bottom of her baby’s symptoms.
-
Meet Phoenix
Christmas Day plans for Phoenix’s family didn’t include a life-altering trip to the hospital. But at St. Jude, this close-knit family has been given hope.
-
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.