The words "your child has cancer" can turn a family’s world upside down. Suddenly, daily routines are replaced with the responsibilities of caring for a child with a serious illness.
At St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, we know how important a family’s support is to the recovery of their child. That's why our health-care staff treats each family as a partner in their child's health-care decisions.
Families meet with the same care team each time they return to St. Jude, including doctors, nurses, pharmacists and Child Life specialists, who work closely with families to help them cope and educate patients about their care. Working with the same care team encourages good working relationships and allows the team to become knowledgeable about a patient's health history.
Parents also receive one-on-one instruction in caring for their children from St. Jude nurses, who offer advice and encouragement to build their confidence and expertise.
What our families are saying about St. Jude care
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"St. Jude worries not only about healing Andrés, but about the whole family. They know the whole family needs to be well. You can’t heal if you’re struggling, and at St. Jude, they make sure you have nothing to worry about but your child.”
Cristiana, patient Andrés' mom
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“We knew St. Jude was the best place for childhood cancer. We knew that when families go to St. Jude, they have no worries. They’re going to be taken care of.”
Chastity, patient Jordyn's mom
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“Here, they take care of everything. At another hospital, I think the focus would be only on the cancer. Here, it’s on everything — treatment and school, dental and audiology, physical therapy and Child Life. It’s amazing.”
Cindy, patient Chandler's mom
Patients and family members are also invited to work with health-care staff to help develop and improve hospital policies and programs. Members of our Family Advisory Council, established in 2008, assist in many ways, including taking part in hospital committees, helping to design new patient-care areas and suggesting new programs.
And families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food — because all a family should worry about is helping their child live.
"Everyone has been so wonderful — the doctors, the nurses, Child Life,” says St. Jude mom Renee. "You wouldn’t get this quality of care anywhere else."
Help our families focus on their sick child, not medical bills.
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Meet Gracie
What Gracie's mother initially thought was appendicitis turned out to be a far worse diagnosis for Gracie's condition: acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
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St. Jude honors sibling stars
Brothers and sisters of St. Jude patients were recognized for their important contributions to their families during the annual Sibling Star Day event.