A St. Jude mom reflects on the day her daughter went off to college

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I knew the day my daughter went away to college would come, but when it finally arrived, I felt a mix of emotions that’s hard to explain. 

My daughter, Victoria, was only moving three hours away. I knew we’d see each other often and talk on the phone several times a day — and we do.  

Still, watching her pack her bags made me deeply sad, even as I felt overwhelming pride. 

When it was time to say goodbye, I cried tears of joy.  

And then I cried again, because I couldn’t help but remember everything she had gone through to get to this moment. 

When she was 8, Victoria faced incredibly dark days, and I never left her side. She was diagnosed with a meningioma, a rare type of childhood brain tumor, and needed two surgeries. It was such a difficult time that I often wondered what her future would look like. 

Her doctors referred her to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital®, where she received proton beam radiotherapy. I always say it was the best thing that could have happened in the middle of such a painful chapter. 

When people ask what St. Jude means to us, I tell them it’s family. That’s truly how we felt about her doctors, nurses and other patients. She arrived at the hospital with tears — and she left with tears, too. The difference is she arrived scared, not knowing what would happen, and she left with joy and gratitude.  

She’s a perfect example of the St. Jude mission in action: Finding cures. Saving children.® They saved her life.  

And even now, 10 years later, the hospital is still part of who we are and always will be. 

Victoria knows that, too. Over the years, she has continued volunteering at St. Jude galas, golf tournaments and other fundraising events. 

She loves to paint and has donated her artwork to help raise funds because giving back means so much to her. 

Today, she’s doing really well. She loves her university, earns excellent grades and is growing more independent every day, none of which surprises me. 

She’s also planning her future. She hopes to one day work in marketing at ALSAC, the fundraising and awareness organization for St. Jude. It’s a dream she’s had since she was little, and she’s determined to make it happen. 

She’s on her way. I know it. She’s going to make all her dreams come true. Nothing can stop her. She is blessed.