Meet Carlitos

When Carlitos was referred to St. Jude for treatment following his brain tumor diagnosis, his family found hope amid overwhelming challenges.

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St. Jude patient Carlos, wearing a red flannel shirt, sits on the floor turned slightly to the side, arms extended to the floor for support, gazing intently at the camera..

St. Jude patient Carlitos

 
 
Red background with patient art stars, hearts, branches in a dark red.
St. Jude patient Carlos rests in his mother’s arms, leaning gently toward her as his father tenderly caresses his arm.

St Jude patient Carlitos with his parents

 

Carlitos' story

Carlos, or Carlitos as his family affectionately calls him, started to limp on his left leg in April 2024. At the same time, his father had undergone knee surgery, so his parents thought the 2-year-old was imitating his dad

But as days and weeks passed, his limping worsened, his mom, Nathaly, said. After several tests, including an MRI, Carlitos was diagnosed with medulloblastoma, an aggressive brain tumor. 

 
 

Carlitos underwent surgery in his homeland of Mexico, and then was referred to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. The brain tumor program at St. Jude specializes in treatments for medulloblastoma. St. Jude is a world leader in the management of the disease. 

I was very distressed, but at the same time I was calm because I knew I was not alone.

- Nathaly, Carlitos's mom

 
St. Jude patient Carlos sits on the floor, smiling with his arms raised, a toy truck placed in front of him.

St Jude patient Carlitos

 
 
St. Jude patient Carlos in his father’s arms, smiling while holding a toy truck.

 St. Jude patient Carlitos with his dad

 

At St. Jude, an MRI revealed his disease had spread to his brain and spine. He underwent additional neurosurgeries in June 2024, and then started treatment on the protocol for SJiMB12, a St. Jude clinical trial that determined each patient’s treatment based on individual clinical risk and the molecular subtype of medulloblastoma. Carlitos’ treatment included chemotherapy and proton beam radiotherapy.

 
 

We were very impressed by the attention of the nurses and doctors. The truth is that Carlitos appreciates them very much, and he does not feel uncomfortable with them. At first, Carlitos was very fearful and very nervous. Now, he is very calm and talks to the nurses, greets them and hugs them.

- Nathaly, Carlitos's mom

 
St. Jude patient Carlos in his mother’s arms as she kisses his cheek.

 St. Jude patient Carlitos with his mom

 
 
t. Jude patient Carlos kneels on the floor, looking surprised.

St. Jude patient Carlitos

 

Where is Carlitos now?

Carlitos completed his treatment in 2025. He returned home and will continue to return to St. Jude for check-ups.

He is a happy child, his mom said, who enjoys singing, dancing and playing with his toy cars and dinosaur figures.

 
 
St. Jude patient Carlos is held in his mother’s arms, looking directly at the camera.

St. Jude patient Carlitos with his mother

 

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