A love that transcends

The wood table with its keepsakes occupies a special corner of their home, a tribute to Thiago.

And it never looks the same — it changes over time. 

“We keep adding toys or figurines he would have liked, along with orange accents, his favorite color,” Karla said about the altar she built to honor Thiago, her youngest son, who was a patient at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital® from 2020 to 2023.

The altar holds the family’s “great treasures”: plaster sculptures made by Thiago, framed photos, keepsakes and a Himalayan salt lamp that casts a warm orange glow. 

Each item is a way to keep his presence alive, Karla said.

Thiago was a joyful, affectionate boy who lit up every room — and he loved the color orange most of all. 

Every Sept. 4, the date Thiago passed away, the family gathers to honor his life. 
On the first anniversary in 2024, Karla woke up early. 

That morning, she packed towels, orange T-shirts and a bag of food then headed to the beach with her husband, Erick and their oldest son, 11‑year‑old Mateo. They left at 5 a.m. and drove about an hour and a half away, planning to spend two days surrounded by the white sands of Punta Leona National Reserve. The private nature reserve is on the Central Pacific coast of Costa Rica, their homeland. 

They rented a car so that their dog could join them. Their dog, CC, was named after a golden retriever they met and played with at St. Jude through the Paws at Play facility dog program. Chocolate Chip (CC), the St. Jude team member, and her fellow canines, are available to help reduce stress and anxiety in patients, families and staff through animal-assisted therapy.

“It was fun taking her to the beach,” Mateo said, recalling the trip.  

The family’s trip to the beach was the fulfillment of a promise they had made to Thiago. 

“Thiago wanted to see the ocean and couldn’t, so we went in his honor. That day marked one year since he went to heaven,” Karla said. 

From the shore, they tossed rocks into the sea. They wrote messages of love on each rock with a pen.

As night fell, they watched the sun’s last light dance on the waves. 

“We paid special attention to the orange tones,” Karla said. “It was unforgettable.”

On the second anniversary of Thiago’s death, they wanted to do something different but something just as meaningful. 

“We went to the cemetery and had a picnic, drank coffee and shared stories,” Karla recalled.

For Erick, the days surrounding the anniversary of his son’s death are especially challenging. 

“They’ve been really tough; looking at his photos and videos makes it hurt more, so we stay united,” Erick said softly.

He’s also found his own way to feel close to his younger son. On his rides through the Costa Rica mountains, he carries a decal honoring Thiago on his motorcycle. 

“I always display it so he’s always with me,” Erick said. “I often feel his presence and that comforts me.”

The family is already planning another special tribute for 2026. 

For the family, these moments of remembrance are deeply tied to the place where Thiago spent much of his life — St. Jude. It wasn’t just where he received care; it became a second home, filled with love and support.

Thiago, the youngest of the family, was diagnosed at 18 months of age with infantile fibrosarcoma, the most common soft tissue sarcoma in infancy, and started treatment at home in Costa Rica. In March 2020, he was referred to St. Jude after the tumor continued to progress. Although his tumor initially responded favorably to treatment, in 2023 it transformed into a more aggressive cancer similar to osteosarcoma and began to spread rapidly to his lungs and bones.  

Thiago lived for just five years. He spent most of them at Ronald McDonald House, one of four housing facilities for St. Jude patients and families who don’t live near the hospital. There, he was surrounded by his family’s love every step of the way.

“St. Jude was his home. Thiago loved it. It’s where he grew up and, despite everything we were going through, he was a happy child,” Karla said. 

That’s why she feels deep gratitude for the research hospital.

“They allowed us to be with him all the time, all together. It was incredible and a huge support for Thiago to have his dad, mom and brother by his side during treatment,” Karla said.