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St. Jude patient Ava smiling while crossing her arms.

St. Jude patient Ava

red stars artwork by St. Jude patient Ty
 

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Star artwork by St. Jude patient Ty

 
 
St. Jude commercial where patient Ava and her mother tell her St. Jude story
 
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Ava appears in a St. Jude commercial, with her mother talking about her daughter's St. Jude story.

 
 

Ava's story

Around Easter 2022, Ava’s mom, Lakesha, noticed swelling on her daughter’s neck. At the pediatrician, bloodwork and an x-ray appeared normal.

But after a scan of Ava’s abdomen was also performed, Lakesha received terrible news. “I’m like, cancer? She is not hurting. She’s running up and down. She’s the same old Ava. She’s fine.”

But Ava had neuroblastoma, a cancer that arises from nerve cells. It was Stage 4.

 
St. Jude patient Ava wearing a face mask and a pink bow on her head.

St. Jude patient Ava

 
 
 
red stars artwork by St. Jude patient Ty
St. Jude patient Ava smiling while looking up.
 
 
St. Jude patient Ava outside smiling while her mother hugs her.

St. Jude patient Ava and her mom

 

“It was the worst day,” said Ava. “Mom was crying. I was sad. I was scared.”

The hospital near their home in the Bahamas was not equipped to offer 6-year-old Ava treatment, so her doctor referred her to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

St. Jude is hope, when others don’t seem to think there could be any way. It’s a long road. It’s hard. But St. Jude has gotten us through it.

- Lakesha, Ava's mom

 
 
A circle icon with a slash over a dollar sign, which indicates families never receive a bill.
 

Families, like Ava's, will never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food — so they can focus on helping their child live.

 
 
St. Jude patient Ava wearing a purple tutu and holding her mom's hand.
 

Vivacious Ava is “outgoing, outspoken, very smart, catches on very fast,” said her mom.

Kids have a chance to play, to laugh. They don’t just make it all about cancer. St. Jude tries to give them a normal day, a normal life, and I love that.

- Lakesha, Ava's mom

 
 

Your support allows St. Jude to provide treatments to kids like Ava at no cost. We won't stop until no child — anywhere — dies from cancer.

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St. Jude patient Ava smiling.
red stars artwork by St. Jude patient Ty
 
 
 

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