St. Jude Kids
(All of the photos and articles came from StJude.org)
Gloriuna- 7 years old
Meet St. Jude patient Gloriuna
7 years old
Tennessee
rhabdomyosarcoma/osteosarcoma
Like most children her age, Gloriuna loves to ride her bike and swim. She has her own garden at home, and she likes to play with her brother and cousins. But something sets Gloriuna apart from her friends: Gloriuna has fought cancer not once, but twice, in her young life.
When Gloriuna was 22 months old, doctors found she suffered from rhabdomyosarcoma, an aggressive soft tissue tumor. Her doctor referred her to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital for treatment, where she underwent chemotherapy, surgery to remove the tumor and six weeks of radiation.
During this time, Gloriuna’s mother, Tish, kept a meticulous scrapbook that detailed all aspects of her daughter’s treatment–everything from hospital ID bracelets, to daily schedules, to notes written by the doctors and nurses. Tish decorated the scrapbook with photos of Gloriuna before, during and after treatment. It was thorough documentation of Gloriuna’s fight with cancer.
When Gloriuna’s treatment ended in September 2005, Tish gladly put away the scrapbook and the family focused on life after cancer treatment. Gloriuna visited St. Jude for regular checkups. Her hair grew back, she learned to swim and she started kindergarten. At first, Gloriuna came back for checkups every three months, then every six months. Gloriuna’s family looked forward to her graduating to yearly St. Jude visits.
Then, during a routine checkup in October 2008, doctors discovered a spot on Gloriuna’s right hip, which they monitored closely. In February 2009, a biopsy revealed devastating news: Gloriuna had developed a second cancer, osteosarcoma, the most common form of bone cancer in children.
A second scrapbook was started by Tish, this one focused on Gloriuna’s battle with osteosarcoma. The scrapbooks do more than just document everything Gloriuna has been through in her young life. The books also provide a way for her family to come to terms with Gloriuna’s cancer.
Tish has found that the second time around isn’t easier. Gloriuna is older now, and she asks a lot of questions. Sometimes the answers aren’t easy. But Tish is thankful that Gloriuna is again being treated at St. Jude. “Finding out Gloriuna relapsed and that it was a different type of cancer was hard,” she said. “But we know Gloriuna is getting great treatment. We know she’ll be okay.”
Gloriuna’s treatment for osteosarcoma included chemotherapy and surgery during which doctors removed a part of her pelvic bone. She worked with a physical therapist to rebuild strength in her leg.
Now finished with treatment for osteosarcoma, Gloriuna returns to the hospital for regular checkups. She loves to garden, and this summer she grew flowers as well as vegetables like tomatoes, peppers and squash. Gloriuna waters the plants and monitors their growth. And like the plants in her garden, Gloriuna continues to thrive.
7 years old
Tennessee
rhabdomyosarcoma/osteosarcoma
Like most children her age, Gloriuna loves to ride her bike and swim. She has her own garden at home, and she likes to play with her brother and cousins. But something sets Gloriuna apart from her friends: Gloriuna has fought cancer not once, but twice, in her young life.
When Gloriuna was 22 months old, doctors found she suffered from rhabdomyosarcoma, an aggressive soft tissue tumor. Her doctor referred her to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital for treatment, where she underwent chemotherapy, surgery to remove the tumor and six weeks of radiation.
During this time, Gloriuna’s mother, Tish, kept a meticulous scrapbook that detailed all aspects of her daughter’s treatment–everything from hospital ID bracelets, to daily schedules, to notes written by the doctors and nurses. Tish decorated the scrapbook with photos of Gloriuna before, during and after treatment. It was thorough documentation of Gloriuna’s fight with cancer.
When Gloriuna’s treatment ended in September 2005, Tish gladly put away the scrapbook and the family focused on life after cancer treatment. Gloriuna visited St. Jude for regular checkups. Her hair grew back, she learned to swim and she started kindergarten. At first, Gloriuna came back for checkups every three months, then every six months. Gloriuna’s family looked forward to her graduating to yearly St. Jude visits.
Then, during a routine checkup in October 2008, doctors discovered a spot on Gloriuna’s right hip, which they monitored closely. In February 2009, a biopsy revealed devastating news: Gloriuna had developed a second cancer, osteosarcoma, the most common form of bone cancer in children.
A second scrapbook was started by Tish, this one focused on Gloriuna’s battle with osteosarcoma. The scrapbooks do more than just document everything Gloriuna has been through in her young life. The books also provide a way for her family to come to terms with Gloriuna’s cancer.
Tish has found that the second time around isn’t easier. Gloriuna is older now, and she asks a lot of questions. Sometimes the answers aren’t easy. But Tish is thankful that Gloriuna is again being treated at St. Jude. “Finding out Gloriuna relapsed and that it was a different type of cancer was hard,” she said. “But we know Gloriuna is getting great treatment. We know she’ll be okay.”
Gloriuna’s treatment for osteosarcoma included chemotherapy and surgery during which doctors removed a part of her pelvic bone. She worked with a physical therapist to rebuild strength in her leg.
Now finished with treatment for osteosarcoma, Gloriuna returns to the hospital for regular checkups. She loves to garden, and this summer she grew flowers as well as vegetables like tomatoes, peppers and squash. Gloriuna waters the plants and monitors their growth. And like the plants in her garden, Gloriuna continues to thrive.
Dylan- 16 years old
Dylan
In November 2009, two days after his sixteenth birthday, Dylan stood before a crowd at Minnesota's Mall of America. He encouraged the assembled group to put their hearts into the Give thanks. Walk.® fundraiser for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital that they were about to start. He thanked them for their goodness.
"All we have to do is walk," Dylan told the crowd. "It's a miracle we can do this for St. Jude."
Dylan hoped he could adequately explain to the walkers the importance of their goal that day—how their support would help patients just like him. In August 2008, numbness in his left hand and a seizure prompted his family to take him to their local hospital. There, an MRI revealed a golf ball-sized tumor in Dylan's brain. It was a rare and deadly form of cancer known as a supratentorial primitive neuroectodermal tumor.
Surgeons at his local hospital removed the tumor, but Dylan needed follow-up care to prevent the cancer from returning. For that, his parents turned to St. Jude—the hospital they felt gave their son the best chance at beating the disease.
"We saw that the success rates are better at St. Jude than at other hospitals, and that was one of the contributing factors as to why we chose St. Jude," said his mom, Debbie.
Another factor was that, at St. Jude, Dylan's parents would never have to compromise on Dylan's treatment. St. Jude is the only pediatric cancer research center where families never pay for treatment not covered by insurance.
That's why events such as the Give thanks. Walk. are so important and why Dylan and his family participated.
Dylan told the crowd about the doctors and nurses at St. Jude, the patients, the wonderful care and treatment. When Dylan finished speaking, cheers filled the air. He smiled as the crowd sang him happy birthday. Only a few people that day, including his parents and his sister, Megan, knew about the overwhelming news he had just received.
Dylan's cancer had returned. He walked that day knowing he had only months to live. On June 8, 2010, Dylan lost his battle.
"Dylan arrived at St. Jude thinking he was bigger and stronger than everyone, and when he saw the little kids going through treatment, he said they motivated him," Debbie said. "His love for St. Jude was enormous. He wanted a cure to be found. He didn't want any other children to have to go through what he did."
In November 2009, two days after his sixteenth birthday, Dylan stood before a crowd at Minnesota's Mall of America. He encouraged the assembled group to put their hearts into the Give thanks. Walk.® fundraiser for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital that they were about to start. He thanked them for their goodness.
"All we have to do is walk," Dylan told the crowd. "It's a miracle we can do this for St. Jude."
Dylan hoped he could adequately explain to the walkers the importance of their goal that day—how their support would help patients just like him. In August 2008, numbness in his left hand and a seizure prompted his family to take him to their local hospital. There, an MRI revealed a golf ball-sized tumor in Dylan's brain. It was a rare and deadly form of cancer known as a supratentorial primitive neuroectodermal tumor.
Surgeons at his local hospital removed the tumor, but Dylan needed follow-up care to prevent the cancer from returning. For that, his parents turned to St. Jude—the hospital they felt gave their son the best chance at beating the disease.
"We saw that the success rates are better at St. Jude than at other hospitals, and that was one of the contributing factors as to why we chose St. Jude," said his mom, Debbie.
Another factor was that, at St. Jude, Dylan's parents would never have to compromise on Dylan's treatment. St. Jude is the only pediatric cancer research center where families never pay for treatment not covered by insurance.
That's why events such as the Give thanks. Walk. are so important and why Dylan and his family participated.
Dylan told the crowd about the doctors and nurses at St. Jude, the patients, the wonderful care and treatment. When Dylan finished speaking, cheers filled the air. He smiled as the crowd sang him happy birthday. Only a few people that day, including his parents and his sister, Megan, knew about the overwhelming news he had just received.
Dylan's cancer had returned. He walked that day knowing he had only months to live. On June 8, 2010, Dylan lost his battle.
"Dylan arrived at St. Jude thinking he was bigger and stronger than everyone, and when he saw the little kids going through treatment, he said they motivated him," Debbie said. "His love for St. Jude was enormous. He wanted a cure to be found. He didn't want any other children to have to go through what he did."
Taylor- 16 years old
Taylor
When 16-year-old Taylor returned to the water in March, her mother had no expectations. They would take Taylor to the deep end and allow her to remember how good it felt to be submerged. If Taylor wanted to try some movements, well that was fine, but there was no reason to rush things.
Ever since the brain tumor, Taylor’s parents had learned to appreciate every step in her recovery.
But on that day in March, Taylor surprised everyone. She kicked her arms and legs. The movements were willful. Soon, she was swimming again. It had been so long, but her body had remembered. She did the breaststroke and then the backstroke. When Taylor flipped on her back like that, Dora could see that her daughter was smiling. It moved Dora to tears.
All Taylor had ever wanted to do was swim. She had been her parents’ golden child. The honors student had long, curly blonde hair and a healthy glow from constant swimming. She swam on three teams, including a competitive one. “When I’m in the water, I feel like I’m flying,” she would say.
But in March 2008, then-14-year-old Taylor suffered from headaches. One day at a swim meet, she lost her equilibrium and nearly fell off her start block. Tests soon revealed Taylor had a brain tumor. It would need to come out.
The doctor warned Taylor’s parents that a small but significant percentage of kids who underwent this type of brain surgery experienced paralysis. The condition, known as posterior fossa syndrome, can take weeks or months to resolve.
The surgery took place March 20, 2008. Afterward, Taylor couldn’t move or speak voluntarily. Her eyes had an unfocused look. She would need to relearn even the most basic skills.
“In so many ways, she was like a newborn,” said Dora.
The family soon learned Taylor suffered from medulloblastoma, the most common type of brain tumor in children. Her family researched options for Taylor’s continuing care. That search led them to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and they obtained a referral.
“After we looked at the cure rate, it was so much higher at St. Jude than anywhere else,” explained Dora.
At St. Jude, Taylor began a treatment plan that included 31 radiation treatments, as well as four rounds of chemotherapy and stem cell infusions. She also received physical, speech and occupational therapies.
Dora says their treatment team kept the family going through the hard times.
“There were other children who had been through posterior fossa syndrome and come out the other side,” said Dora. “When they came in town for checkups, our doctor introduced me to them. He reassured me, ‘She will get better. I know it’s devastating, but she will get better.’”
Taylor finished treatment in late 2008. Her recovery continues.
Along the way, there have been many encouraging milestones. In June 2008, Taylor stuck her feet into a pool and kicked. In September 2008, Taylor said the word “love” when her father came in the room. In April 2009, she began speaking in sentences. In May 2009, she took her first sustained steps.
On Mother’s Day 2009, Taylor was walking and talking.
“She was able to say, ‘Happy Mother’s Day’ and ‘I love you,’” said Dora. “What better gift could you have as a mom?”
The year 2009 was filled with so many small miracles that it’s hard to fathom how 2010 can top it. But by swimming and enjoying life, Taylor has found a way.
“You don’t realize what a gift it is to have a healthy child,” said Dora.
But now, Taylor’s mother says, she does realize
When 16-year-old Taylor returned to the water in March, her mother had no expectations. They would take Taylor to the deep end and allow her to remember how good it felt to be submerged. If Taylor wanted to try some movements, well that was fine, but there was no reason to rush things.
Ever since the brain tumor, Taylor’s parents had learned to appreciate every step in her recovery.
But on that day in March, Taylor surprised everyone. She kicked her arms and legs. The movements were willful. Soon, she was swimming again. It had been so long, but her body had remembered. She did the breaststroke and then the backstroke. When Taylor flipped on her back like that, Dora could see that her daughter was smiling. It moved Dora to tears.
All Taylor had ever wanted to do was swim. She had been her parents’ golden child. The honors student had long, curly blonde hair and a healthy glow from constant swimming. She swam on three teams, including a competitive one. “When I’m in the water, I feel like I’m flying,” she would say.
But in March 2008, then-14-year-old Taylor suffered from headaches. One day at a swim meet, she lost her equilibrium and nearly fell off her start block. Tests soon revealed Taylor had a brain tumor. It would need to come out.
The doctor warned Taylor’s parents that a small but significant percentage of kids who underwent this type of brain surgery experienced paralysis. The condition, known as posterior fossa syndrome, can take weeks or months to resolve.
The surgery took place March 20, 2008. Afterward, Taylor couldn’t move or speak voluntarily. Her eyes had an unfocused look. She would need to relearn even the most basic skills.
“In so many ways, she was like a newborn,” said Dora.
The family soon learned Taylor suffered from medulloblastoma, the most common type of brain tumor in children. Her family researched options for Taylor’s continuing care. That search led them to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and they obtained a referral.
“After we looked at the cure rate, it was so much higher at St. Jude than anywhere else,” explained Dora.
At St. Jude, Taylor began a treatment plan that included 31 radiation treatments, as well as four rounds of chemotherapy and stem cell infusions. She also received physical, speech and occupational therapies.
Dora says their treatment team kept the family going through the hard times.
“There were other children who had been through posterior fossa syndrome and come out the other side,” said Dora. “When they came in town for checkups, our doctor introduced me to them. He reassured me, ‘She will get better. I know it’s devastating, but she will get better.’”
Taylor finished treatment in late 2008. Her recovery continues.
Along the way, there have been many encouraging milestones. In June 2008, Taylor stuck her feet into a pool and kicked. In September 2008, Taylor said the word “love” when her father came in the room. In April 2009, she began speaking in sentences. In May 2009, she took her first sustained steps.
On Mother’s Day 2009, Taylor was walking and talking.
“She was able to say, ‘Happy Mother’s Day’ and ‘I love you,’” said Dora. “What better gift could you have as a mom?”
The year 2009 was filled with so many small miracles that it’s hard to fathom how 2010 can top it. But by swimming and enjoying life, Taylor has found a way.
“You don’t realize what a gift it is to have a healthy child,” said Dora.
But now, Taylor’s mother says, she does realize
Colin- 2 years old
Colin
2 years old
Ependymoma
In June 2009, on the day Colin was due to celebrate his second birthday with extended family, his little legs collapsed beneath him when his mother tried to wake him up from bed.
For Tamiko, reliving that morning is like reliving a nightmare.
"I said to Colin, 'You can't stand,' and then I held him. His legs didn’t work. His back was arching. He looked so scared."
The day before, Colin had been running with his older brother and eating ice cream. Now he couldn't move.
Colin was rushed to the emergency room, where scans revealed the presence of a large tumor in the forth ventricle of his brain, an area that controls some of the body's most basic functions. It was an ependymoma, a malignant tumor that makes up approximately 6 percent of brain tumors in children. Within days, Colin endured two surgeries—one to remove fluid build up and some tumor growth, and the second to remove the bulk of the tumor.
Tamiko does analysis and writing for a financial publication in Manhattan. She felt frightened for her son, but rather than panic, she and her husband did their research, weighing a number of factors, including survival rate and quality of life, to find what they felt was the very best place for their son's ongoing care. "We combed the planet for a treatment plan that made sense for our son," said Colin's father, Ian. "At the very minimum, we hoped it would buy us some time."
That search led them to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
Colin and his mother traveled to St. Jude by air ambulance. From the moment they arrived, Tamiko felt she could finally breathe again.
"It comes down to hope," said Tamiko. "I had a feeling we were in the right place. It was tremendous for me."
Ian and Colin's brother, Aidan, were able to join them soon afterward, and they've been living together ever since at Target House.
At St. Jude, Colin received chemotherapy through a research trial for children under 3 years old with brain tumors. This month, he had another surgery to remove a tumor remnant. This additional surgery—and the success of it—has dramatically improved Colin's prognosis. Colin is recovering well, and soon he'll begin radiation therapy.
Along the way, Colin's treatment plan has been tailored to his complex needs.
"They way the doctors and nurses at St. Jude touch each child's life, it's different for every family, but it's incredibly meaningful," said Tamiko.
What impresses the family about St. Jude is how the hospital focuses on their son as a unique child with individual needs, rather than as a statistic. As treatment goes along and the course of the disease changes, St. Jude will alter its treatment plan accordingly, so they're always giving Colin exactly what he needs, when he needs it.
Tamiko and Ian are already seeing the benefits of this approach. "The good technology and good imaging at St. Jude has had everything to do with his successful trajectory," said Ian. "All of these things have made the difference in his care."
At St. Jude, Colin's condition has improved considerably. He's talking and joking around again, and sometimes even complaining. For a family that has watched their son paralyzed for weeks, even the complaints are music to their ears.
"He's finally coming back," said Tamiko.
Ian compares his son to the positive and persistent title character from the Little Engine That Could. This strength of character is important because Colin has a long way to go. He is still overcoming his right-side weakness and his long-term outcome is still uncertain. But Colin gives his parents hope, and so do the doctors.
"Children live in the moment, and it's the greatest reminder to us as parents and human beings," said Tamiko. "He moves forward, he sees beyond the negativity of this diagnosis, and it's just such an inspiration."
Each morning, Ian sees the researchers grab their coffees before heading toward the Danny Thomas Research Center. This is immensely reassuring to him. He knows that findings in the St. Jude lab have the potential to increase Colin's chances of long-term survival.
"This institution is one that does what it says it will do," said Tamiko. "It has a tremendous track record."
2 years old
Ependymoma
In June 2009, on the day Colin was due to celebrate his second birthday with extended family, his little legs collapsed beneath him when his mother tried to wake him up from bed.
For Tamiko, reliving that morning is like reliving a nightmare.
"I said to Colin, 'You can't stand,' and then I held him. His legs didn’t work. His back was arching. He looked so scared."
The day before, Colin had been running with his older brother and eating ice cream. Now he couldn't move.
Colin was rushed to the emergency room, where scans revealed the presence of a large tumor in the forth ventricle of his brain, an area that controls some of the body's most basic functions. It was an ependymoma, a malignant tumor that makes up approximately 6 percent of brain tumors in children. Within days, Colin endured two surgeries—one to remove fluid build up and some tumor growth, and the second to remove the bulk of the tumor.
Tamiko does analysis and writing for a financial publication in Manhattan. She felt frightened for her son, but rather than panic, she and her husband did their research, weighing a number of factors, including survival rate and quality of life, to find what they felt was the very best place for their son's ongoing care. "We combed the planet for a treatment plan that made sense for our son," said Colin's father, Ian. "At the very minimum, we hoped it would buy us some time."
That search led them to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
Colin and his mother traveled to St. Jude by air ambulance. From the moment they arrived, Tamiko felt she could finally breathe again.
"It comes down to hope," said Tamiko. "I had a feeling we were in the right place. It was tremendous for me."
Ian and Colin's brother, Aidan, were able to join them soon afterward, and they've been living together ever since at Target House.
At St. Jude, Colin received chemotherapy through a research trial for children under 3 years old with brain tumors. This month, he had another surgery to remove a tumor remnant. This additional surgery—and the success of it—has dramatically improved Colin's prognosis. Colin is recovering well, and soon he'll begin radiation therapy.
Along the way, Colin's treatment plan has been tailored to his complex needs.
"They way the doctors and nurses at St. Jude touch each child's life, it's different for every family, but it's incredibly meaningful," said Tamiko.
What impresses the family about St. Jude is how the hospital focuses on their son as a unique child with individual needs, rather than as a statistic. As treatment goes along and the course of the disease changes, St. Jude will alter its treatment plan accordingly, so they're always giving Colin exactly what he needs, when he needs it.
Tamiko and Ian are already seeing the benefits of this approach. "The good technology and good imaging at St. Jude has had everything to do with his successful trajectory," said Ian. "All of these things have made the difference in his care."
At St. Jude, Colin's condition has improved considerably. He's talking and joking around again, and sometimes even complaining. For a family that has watched their son paralyzed for weeks, even the complaints are music to their ears.
"He's finally coming back," said Tamiko.
Ian compares his son to the positive and persistent title character from the Little Engine That Could. This strength of character is important because Colin has a long way to go. He is still overcoming his right-side weakness and his long-term outcome is still uncertain. But Colin gives his parents hope, and so do the doctors.
"Children live in the moment, and it's the greatest reminder to us as parents and human beings," said Tamiko. "He moves forward, he sees beyond the negativity of this diagnosis, and it's just such an inspiration."
Each morning, Ian sees the researchers grab their coffees before heading toward the Danny Thomas Research Center. This is immensely reassuring to him. He knows that findings in the St. Jude lab have the potential to increase Colin's chances of long-term survival.
"This institution is one that does what it says it will do," said Tamiko. "It has a tremendous track record."
Katelyn- 5 years old
Katelyn
Looking back, 5-year-old Katelyn Koziol's parents, Michelle and David, could not have guessed how much their lives would change in a day's time. One day, Katelyn was riding in her preschool's Trike-A-Thon to raise funds for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. The very next day, she was admitted to St. Jude as a patient.
The preschool Katelyn and her big sister, Amanda, attended had sent home pledge sheets and information about St. Jude and the Trike-A-Thon program in April 2008. Trike-A-Thon is a fundraising program that helps raise funds for St. Jude while also teaching young children valuable lessons in riding toy safety.
"Katelyn and Amanda were excited about the program," Michelle said. "Their teachers had emphasized that the kids at St. Jude were really sick, so the girls knew they were raising money for kids who were really ill."
The day of the Trike-A-Thon, the girls excitedly got on their bikes and rode with their classmates. Nothing about that day indicated to Michelle and David that something was wrong with Katelyn.
But the next morning, Katelyn complained about pain in one of her legs. By the afternoon, Katelyn spiked a fever and Michelle took her to the pediatrician. "He was more thorough than I though he needed to be at the time,"Michelle said. "I thought Katelyn had a virus and that we'd get antibiotics and go home."
The doctor ordered blood work. An hour later, he came back into the exam room. He told Michelle he wasn't sure what was going on, but he wanted Katelyn to go to St. Jude that night for further testing. "We were blindsided," Michelle said. "At that point I still thought it was something we'd get medicine for and be able to go home."
When Katelyn and her parents drove through the gates of the St. Jude campus, Katelyn piped up from the back seat, "There's the hospital I rode my bike for."
At St. Jude, Katelyn's parents learned she suffered from acute lymphoblastic leukemia, the most common form of childhood cancer. She started chemotherapy immediately on a two-and-a-half year treatment protocol. Katelyn's cancer is in remission. At first, she came to St. Jude every day for treatment. Now Katelyn visits St. Jude once a week for intravenous chemotherapy. She also takes oral chemotherapy most nights before bedtime.
Michelle and Dave are amazed by how knowledgeable Katelyn is about her illness and treatment. She knows about her chemotherapy and the different medicines she takes. She knows what "remission" means, and she knows that when her immune system is compromised, she has to wear a mask. "At first it was strange to hear Katelyn talk about these kinds of things," said Michelle. "But she's adapted so well. She's never been self conscious about what's going on."
Parts of Katelyn's treatment have been tough. For awhile, she didn't have the strength to ride her bike and she had trouble balancing. Her parents are impressed with how far Katelyn has come. "Compared with a year ago, it's a miracle," Michelle said. "Katelyn is back riding her bike and she's very active."
Katelyn is enrolled in homebound kindergarten. She loves learning and is excited for the day when she can attend school with Amanda.
"We had no idea it could happen to us," Michelle said. "You don't realize what a difference donating even a small amount of money makes. It's good to have your children get involved with a program like Trike-A-Thon. They learn it's important to help their friends."
Looking back, 5-year-old Katelyn Koziol's parents, Michelle and David, could not have guessed how much their lives would change in a day's time. One day, Katelyn was riding in her preschool's Trike-A-Thon to raise funds for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. The very next day, she was admitted to St. Jude as a patient.
The preschool Katelyn and her big sister, Amanda, attended had sent home pledge sheets and information about St. Jude and the Trike-A-Thon program in April 2008. Trike-A-Thon is a fundraising program that helps raise funds for St. Jude while also teaching young children valuable lessons in riding toy safety.
"Katelyn and Amanda were excited about the program," Michelle said. "Their teachers had emphasized that the kids at St. Jude were really sick, so the girls knew they were raising money for kids who were really ill."
The day of the Trike-A-Thon, the girls excitedly got on their bikes and rode with their classmates. Nothing about that day indicated to Michelle and David that something was wrong with Katelyn.
But the next morning, Katelyn complained about pain in one of her legs. By the afternoon, Katelyn spiked a fever and Michelle took her to the pediatrician. "He was more thorough than I though he needed to be at the time,"Michelle said. "I thought Katelyn had a virus and that we'd get antibiotics and go home."
The doctor ordered blood work. An hour later, he came back into the exam room. He told Michelle he wasn't sure what was going on, but he wanted Katelyn to go to St. Jude that night for further testing. "We were blindsided," Michelle said. "At that point I still thought it was something we'd get medicine for and be able to go home."
When Katelyn and her parents drove through the gates of the St. Jude campus, Katelyn piped up from the back seat, "There's the hospital I rode my bike for."
At St. Jude, Katelyn's parents learned she suffered from acute lymphoblastic leukemia, the most common form of childhood cancer. She started chemotherapy immediately on a two-and-a-half year treatment protocol. Katelyn's cancer is in remission. At first, she came to St. Jude every day for treatment. Now Katelyn visits St. Jude once a week for intravenous chemotherapy. She also takes oral chemotherapy most nights before bedtime.
Michelle and Dave are amazed by how knowledgeable Katelyn is about her illness and treatment. She knows about her chemotherapy and the different medicines she takes. She knows what "remission" means, and she knows that when her immune system is compromised, she has to wear a mask. "At first it was strange to hear Katelyn talk about these kinds of things," said Michelle. "But she's adapted so well. She's never been self conscious about what's going on."
Parts of Katelyn's treatment have been tough. For awhile, she didn't have the strength to ride her bike and she had trouble balancing. Her parents are impressed with how far Katelyn has come. "Compared with a year ago, it's a miracle," Michelle said. "Katelyn is back riding her bike and she's very active."
Katelyn is enrolled in homebound kindergarten. She loves learning and is excited for the day when she can attend school with Amanda.
"We had no idea it could happen to us," Michelle said. "You don't realize what a difference donating even a small amount of money makes. It's good to have your children get involved with a program like Trike-A-Thon. They learn it's important to help their friends."
Heather- 11 years old
Heather
Heather is here in the atrium of the Danny Thomas Research Center for Kicker, the golden retriever. He reminds her of her dogs back home, and besides, she loves all pets. She drops to her knees and hugs him tightly. She strokes his thick, clean fur and tells him hello. He leans into her.
Heather’s mother, Terri, stands at a distance, watching her daughter take comfort from their Tuesday morning tradition. Eleven-year-old Heather is slim and bald, and to the world outside St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, she looks heartbreakingly fragile.
Only Terri knows Heather’s strength. She’s watched her daughter endure brain surgery, radiation, chemotherapy and progenitor cell transplants. These are medical procedures, and Terri thanks God for them. They have helped her little girl have a chance at beating the brain tumor called medulloblastoma, which doctors discovered in January 2008. Kicker and these visits have helped Heather too.
Kicker didn’t shrink the tumor or keep it from coming back, but he put a smile on Heather’s face and made her want to wake up every Tuesday. And that’s a great gift when your child has cancer.
Ever since they were 7 years old, Heather and her best friend have wanted to be veterinarians. They played pretend games together—one would be the dog, and the other would be the vet. When they’re grownups, they’d like to open their own animal clinic together. Terri very much wants this for her daughter.
During her long months of treatment away from home in Florida, Heather ached for her two dogs and two cats. She talked by phone with her older brother, urging him to love the animals as often as possible on her behalf. Each time she had to go inpatient, her mother packed pictures of the pets, and they flipped through the photos together as they passed the hours.
“I just miss them,” she told her mom.
One night during her inpatient chemotherapy treatment, Heather began to cry. On that particular night, she missed her cats. Two of her St. Jude nurses talked for a little bit, then came into Heather’s room and got down on their knees and began purring. “I’m Pepsi,” one of the nurses said. “I’m Zoe,” said the other nurse. Those are the names of Heather’s cats.
Of all the moments that have touched their family during Heather’s time at St. Jude—and there have been many—this one stands out.
“I thought it was amazing and so personal,” said Terri.
A few weeks after they arrived at St. Jude, Terri learned of the pet visits. The specially trained dogs of the Delta Society are brought into the atrium of the Danny Thomas Research Center every Tuesday morning for an hour, and the children who feel well enough can come say hello. The program is called Doggie Daze, and it’s coordinated by the Child Life department at St. Jude. Terri sensed these visits would be just the thing to lift Heather’s spirits. She worked with the St. Jude staff to rearrange Heather’s radiation schedule so Heather could visit the dogs. Heather was thrilled.
When Heather felt well enough, she got down on the ground to play with the dogs. Otherwise, she rolled up in her wheelchair, and the dogs walked up and laid their heads on her lap.
Heather loves all the dogs, but Kicker the golden retriever is her absolute favorite. When her cousin sent her a golden retriever stuffed animal as a present, she named it Kicker and bought it a pair of sunglasses. The real Kicker has his own pair of sunglasses, so Heather took a picture of the two dogs together, looking cool.
Heather sleeps with her Kicker stuffed animal, but in a few days she’ll be going home and she’ll have the real thing. She imagines that moment. How nice it will feel to hug her pets again. Her dogs were puppies when she left them, but months have passed and now they’re grownups. Heather has changed too.
With the help of St. Jude, she has battled cancer and won. She may look weak, but she’s actually strong. Her mom believes her friends at St. Jude have made all the difference.
Heather is here in the atrium of the Danny Thomas Research Center for Kicker, the golden retriever. He reminds her of her dogs back home, and besides, she loves all pets. She drops to her knees and hugs him tightly. She strokes his thick, clean fur and tells him hello. He leans into her.
Heather’s mother, Terri, stands at a distance, watching her daughter take comfort from their Tuesday morning tradition. Eleven-year-old Heather is slim and bald, and to the world outside St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, she looks heartbreakingly fragile.
Only Terri knows Heather’s strength. She’s watched her daughter endure brain surgery, radiation, chemotherapy and progenitor cell transplants. These are medical procedures, and Terri thanks God for them. They have helped her little girl have a chance at beating the brain tumor called medulloblastoma, which doctors discovered in January 2008. Kicker and these visits have helped Heather too.
Kicker didn’t shrink the tumor or keep it from coming back, but he put a smile on Heather’s face and made her want to wake up every Tuesday. And that’s a great gift when your child has cancer.
Ever since they were 7 years old, Heather and her best friend have wanted to be veterinarians. They played pretend games together—one would be the dog, and the other would be the vet. When they’re grownups, they’d like to open their own animal clinic together. Terri very much wants this for her daughter.
During her long months of treatment away from home in Florida, Heather ached for her two dogs and two cats. She talked by phone with her older brother, urging him to love the animals as often as possible on her behalf. Each time she had to go inpatient, her mother packed pictures of the pets, and they flipped through the photos together as they passed the hours.
“I just miss them,” she told her mom.
One night during her inpatient chemotherapy treatment, Heather began to cry. On that particular night, she missed her cats. Two of her St. Jude nurses talked for a little bit, then came into Heather’s room and got down on their knees and began purring. “I’m Pepsi,” one of the nurses said. “I’m Zoe,” said the other nurse. Those are the names of Heather’s cats.
Of all the moments that have touched their family during Heather’s time at St. Jude—and there have been many—this one stands out.
“I thought it was amazing and so personal,” said Terri.
A few weeks after they arrived at St. Jude, Terri learned of the pet visits. The specially trained dogs of the Delta Society are brought into the atrium of the Danny Thomas Research Center every Tuesday morning for an hour, and the children who feel well enough can come say hello. The program is called Doggie Daze, and it’s coordinated by the Child Life department at St. Jude. Terri sensed these visits would be just the thing to lift Heather’s spirits. She worked with the St. Jude staff to rearrange Heather’s radiation schedule so Heather could visit the dogs. Heather was thrilled.
When Heather felt well enough, she got down on the ground to play with the dogs. Otherwise, she rolled up in her wheelchair, and the dogs walked up and laid their heads on her lap.
Heather loves all the dogs, but Kicker the golden retriever is her absolute favorite. When her cousin sent her a golden retriever stuffed animal as a present, she named it Kicker and bought it a pair of sunglasses. The real Kicker has his own pair of sunglasses, so Heather took a picture of the two dogs together, looking cool.
Heather sleeps with her Kicker stuffed animal, but in a few days she’ll be going home and she’ll have the real thing. She imagines that moment. How nice it will feel to hug her pets again. Her dogs were puppies when she left them, but months have passed and now they’re grownups. Heather has changed too.
With the help of St. Jude, she has battled cancer and won. She may look weak, but she’s actually strong. Her mom believes her friends at St. Jude have made all the difference.
Catie- 8 years old
Catie
In December 2008, a little girl named Catie, who was very sick, made a simple birthday wish, not realizing how difficult it would be to achieve.
For her eighth birthday on April 23, 2009, whether or not she lived to see the day, Catie wanted something very special. Catie wasn’t interested in toys or games for her birthday. Instead, she wanted all those who loved her, including strangers, to give to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in her name. Her wish was to raise at least $1.4 million, enough to support the operating costs of the hospital for one day. Thus was launched a fundraising campaign that continued even after her death on January 25, 2009. Thanks to the generosity of donors everywhere, her birthday wish has come true.
The Catie’s wish fundraiser has already garnered nearly $2 million for the hospital, an amount that stuns her parents. “In this economic environment, people responded to Catie’s story by making a financial commitment that required sacrifice,” said Catie’s mom, Christine. “That makes the success of the campaign even more special.”
Catie was diagnosed in 2008 with a rare form of cancer called atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor, and she soon became a St. Jude patient. Her St. Jude medical team battled the cancer with radiation, chemotherapy and progenitor cell transplants, but it wasn’t enough to fight off the aggressive disease. When Catie made her final wish, she wanted to not only help the St. Jude medical staff, but also the sick children who would come to St. Jude after she was gone.
Christine said the family will keep raising money for St. Jude in Catie’s name. “It is our firm belief that Catie’s story has the capacity to continue to touch people’s lives, and that her life, as brief as it was, holds lessons for all of us.” She added, “The only limit to God’s ability to work in your life is your level of trust. St. Jude founder Danny Thomas certainly trusted God, and look what happened.”
In December 2008, a little girl named Catie, who was very sick, made a simple birthday wish, not realizing how difficult it would be to achieve.
For her eighth birthday on April 23, 2009, whether or not she lived to see the day, Catie wanted something very special. Catie wasn’t interested in toys or games for her birthday. Instead, she wanted all those who loved her, including strangers, to give to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in her name. Her wish was to raise at least $1.4 million, enough to support the operating costs of the hospital for one day. Thus was launched a fundraising campaign that continued even after her death on January 25, 2009. Thanks to the generosity of donors everywhere, her birthday wish has come true.
The Catie’s wish fundraiser has already garnered nearly $2 million for the hospital, an amount that stuns her parents. “In this economic environment, people responded to Catie’s story by making a financial commitment that required sacrifice,” said Catie’s mom, Christine. “That makes the success of the campaign even more special.”
Catie was diagnosed in 2008 with a rare form of cancer called atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor, and she soon became a St. Jude patient. Her St. Jude medical team battled the cancer with radiation, chemotherapy and progenitor cell transplants, but it wasn’t enough to fight off the aggressive disease. When Catie made her final wish, she wanted to not only help the St. Jude medical staff, but also the sick children who would come to St. Jude after she was gone.
Christine said the family will keep raising money for St. Jude in Catie’s name. “It is our firm belief that Catie’s story has the capacity to continue to touch people’s lives, and that her life, as brief as it was, holds lessons for all of us.” She added, “The only limit to God’s ability to work in your life is your level of trust. St. Jude founder Danny Thomas certainly trusted God, and look what happened.”
Remi- 1 year old
Remi
1 year old
Diagnosis:
Remi was found to suffer from bilateral retinoblastoma in February 2010.
Remi's story:
Remi's dad had a type of eye cancer called retinoblastoma when he was a child, so when Remi was born, his mother felt it important to have Remi checked for it, too. Her motherly instincts proved correct, when, at just 2 months old, tests revealed little Remi had tumors in both of his eyes.
Remi's mom remembered the devastation she felt upon learning her baby was suffering from cancer. "I felt like my whole world was crushed," she said. Remi's doctor quickly provided a referral to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
At St. Jude:
Remi began receiving chemotherapy. Because his disease was advanced, Remi was treated with three types of chemotherapy on a protocol designed to destroy the tumors in his eyes, with the hope of preserving his vision.
Remi's mom knows the research going on at St. Jude contributes to her son's chance of beating his disease. "I feel that Remi receives top-of-the-line treatment here. We're at the best place in the world," she said.
Remi has completed treatment and was able to return home this fall. He'll return to St. Jude for regular checkups.
Remi is a curious little boy who loves Sesame Street and playing with his toy train.
1 year old
Diagnosis:
Remi was found to suffer from bilateral retinoblastoma in February 2010.
Remi's story:
Remi's dad had a type of eye cancer called retinoblastoma when he was a child, so when Remi was born, his mother felt it important to have Remi checked for it, too. Her motherly instincts proved correct, when, at just 2 months old, tests revealed little Remi had tumors in both of his eyes.
Remi's mom remembered the devastation she felt upon learning her baby was suffering from cancer. "I felt like my whole world was crushed," she said. Remi's doctor quickly provided a referral to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
At St. Jude:
Remi began receiving chemotherapy. Because his disease was advanced, Remi was treated with three types of chemotherapy on a protocol designed to destroy the tumors in his eyes, with the hope of preserving his vision.
Remi's mom knows the research going on at St. Jude contributes to her son's chance of beating his disease. "I feel that Remi receives top-of-the-line treatment here. We're at the best place in the world," she said.
Remi has completed treatment and was able to return home this fall. He'll return to St. Jude for regular checkups.
Remi is a curious little boy who loves Sesame Street and playing with his toy train.
