Ty, 14 years old, acute myeloid leukemia

Ty's story
For Ty’s family, moving from California to Mississippi was a big decision, one that came with a few regrets. After all, leaving California meant saying goodbye to family and friends and Ty’s football team. Five days into their new Mississippi life, 9-year-old Ty was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia. Suddenly, California and their loved ones seemed even further away.

Feeling alone and very much afraid, Ty’s family was told by the local doctor that the best treatment for them was only 20 minutes away at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Oddly enough, it was Ty himself who gave his family the courage they needed to decide on St. Jude. “Ty had done Math-A-Thons from first grade through third grade,” said his mom, Gretchen. “He was devastated to learn he had cancer, but when he found he was coming to St. Jude, his tears dried.” Their choice was clear. “We never considered any other place,” said Gretchen. “We would have fought them if they had tried to refer us anyplace else.”

At St. Jude, Ty had three rounds of high-dose chemotherapy, followed by full-body radiation in order to condition him for a bone marrow transplant. Ty’s younger sister
Samantha was a 100-percent match for him and was his donor.

Today, Ty is in remission – and back to playing football. He says that Danny Thomas is his hero, and he wants to be a doctor when he grows up.

 

 

Javon and Jakayla's story:

Javon, 10 years old; and Jakayla, 5 years old, acute lymphoblastic leukemia

When Lisa's 2-year-old son Javon was referred to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, she felt a rising dread. For weeks, Javon had experienced bruising, high fevers and ear infections. His pediatrician suspected acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), the most common form of childhood cancer. To Lisa, it felt like deja vu: In the 1980s, she herself was treated at St. Jude for leukemia.

At St. Jude, doctors confirmed the diagnosis of ALL and started Javon on a three-year protocol of high-dose chemotherapy. His cancer went into remission, but the day he was supposed to finish treatment, doctors found that he had relapsed. Javon received radiation and an additional two-and-a-half years of chemotherapy.

But as Javon neared the end of his treatment in October 2008, his 2-year-old sister Jakayla developed cold-like symptoms and didn't want to eat. Lisa took Jakayla to the doctor for blood work. The results of the test were troubling, and the doctor quickly referred the family to St. Jude. There, surrounded by doctors and nurses they knew, the family learned that Jakayla also suffered from ALL.

Even though she was devastated, Lisa knew her daughter was in good hands. Jakayla immediately started chemotherapy on a two-and-a-half year treatment plan. Sadly, the family's story took another turn in late 2010 when tests revealed that Javon’s cancer had returned, and he underwent a bone marrow transplant.

Today, both siblings are doing well. Jakayla recently finished treatment and celebrated with a no more chemo party.  Javon's transplant went well, and he was recently able to return home. "The doctors and nurses have been great,” Lisa said. “Everyone is like family." Despite everything they've been through, Javon and Jakayla are happy, social kids. They love music, singing and dancing.

 

Max, 5 years old, acute myeloid leukemia

Max's story:
When 5-year-old Max was found to suffer from acute myeloid leukemia earlier this year, his family was devastated. But when his mom, Tosha, learned he was being referred to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital for treatment, she felt relief. Tosha was familiar with St. Jude because of her oldest son Ty's involvement with Math-A-Thon, a free, education-based program for grades K-8 that benefits St. Jude.

"The first year Ty participated, I explained to him what St. Jude does," Tosha said. "He really wanted to help raise money, and he raised more than $500."

When Tosha and Max arrived at St. Jude after his diagnosis, she cried tears of relief. "St. Jude provides families with everything they need," she said. "I don't have to worry about anything but Max. That means the world." At St. Jude, Max started chemotherapy. He is responding well to treatment, and the cancer is in remission.

While Tosha stays with Max at St. Jude, Ty is home with his dad. "I think because Ty has done Math-A-Thon, it's made our being at St. Jude a little easier for him," said Tosha. Ty visits his mom and brother as often as possible, and when he does, he and Max are inseparable.

Max's family is from a small, close-knit community, so most of Ty's classmates are aware that Max has cancer. "It's always been important for Ty to do Math-A-Thon," said Tosha. "Now that we're on the receiving end of what St. Jude does, it is so much more important that we keep doing it. We hope our story will encourage more students to participate this year."

 

Jessica's story:

Jessica, 21 years old, acute lymphoblastic leukemia

When Jessica was young, she participated in her school's Math-A-Thon. Her mom, Allison, remembers the time she spent helping Jessica work through problems in her Math-A-Thon Funbook, and then helping Jessica collect pledges from friends and family to send to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Allison, a teacher, always felt they were helping the kids featured in the Math-A-Thon Funbook. But the summer Jessica turned 9 years old, she was found to suffer from acute lymphoblastic leukemia, the most common form of childhood cancer, and the family's perspective changed. Every dollar raised by Math-A-thon was going to help kids just like Jessica.

Jessica was admitted to St. Jude in September 1997 and started 125 weeks of treatments. After almost two-and-a-half years of chemotherapy, 12-year-old Jessica celebrated her last treatment on March 20, 2000. Throughout her high school years, Jessica was a part of the ACT Clinic, which monitored her post-cancer progress and health. When she graduated from high school, she also graduated from the ACT Clinic. Today, Jessica is a successful college student, and she is cancer free.

Allison continues to serve on her school's Math-A-Thon committee. She says, "Every penny collected by Math-A-Thon does make a difference in the life of a child."

 

Josiah, 1 year old, glioma astrocytoma

Josiah's story:
Josiah hadn't started rolling over by the time he was 4 months old. Then, when he was 5 months old, he suddenly began favoring his right side. He wouldn't reach for anything using his left hand and he stopped sucking his left thumb. His parents started to fear that something was wrong.

Josiah's parents came to his six-month checkup with questions about their baby's behavior. During the visit, the pediatrician noticed that Josiah's head was larger than it should be, so he ordered an ultrasound as a precaution. The results were devastating—the test revealed a mass on little Josiah's brain called a glioma astrocytoma, a type of brain tumor.

"It was a shock to find out he has a tumor only a couple of hundred children have," his mom said. "We didn't know if he was going to have his first birthday."

Josiah had surgery at the local children's hospital to remove as much of the tumor as possible, then he was referred to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital for his continuing treatment and care.

At St. Jude:
After arriving in Memphis, Tennessee, Josiah began receiving chemotherapy right away to destroy what was left of the fast-growing tumor. Josiah also receives occupational and physical therapy, which have helped him regain the movement in his left hand.

Josiah's parents are thankful for the community of friends they have made since coming to St. Jude. His mom said, "You still want to cry every day—but you can talk to the other parents ... it's like a really big family at St. Jude."

Josiah is a happy little boy. He likes muffins and going down the slide at the park.