Ashtyn loves to cheer, but in April 2018, she was wobbly and dizzy during practice.
When she then started having frequent headaches and vomiting, it was cause for concern – and an appointment with the pediatrician.
“But meanwhile,” said her mom, Kiara, “Ashtyn had another episode at daycare and I thought, 'Why is this happening? Why is she vomiting so much?' So I called a friend, and she suggested we take her to an eye doctor.”
The eye doctor sent Ashtyn to the ER where an MRI was performed.
Days later, Ashtyn had a diagnosis of medulloblastoma, a type of brain cancer. The oncologist immediately recommended St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
My first thought was, is this the end for my 5 year old?
Our world was instantly flipped upside down. You never think it might be you one day. You never think in a million years it will be you.
Families, like Ashtyn's, will never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food.
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Ashtyn in her Halloween costume.
Initially, Ashtyn’s mom, Brittney, wanted to pursue treatment locally.
I thought staying close to home was the better idea but, in my opinion now, that would have been a mistake because, although I have faith in our system there, St. Jude made the process an entirely different experience.
“The program is well thought out, and this terrible situation is less stressful on parents than it could be," continued Brittany.
Being a physician herself, Brittany realizes just how different the St. Jude model is. “I’m experiencing medicine completely differently than I ever have before,” she said.
Ashtyn participated in a commercial for the 2021 St. Jude Thanks and Giving® campaign with actress Yara Shahidi
Kiara, too, is thankful they came to St. Jude.
“I knew St. Jude specialized in cancer, and I knew that there would be kids just like Ashtyn here, so she wouldn’t feel different – she’d be more comfortable,” commented Kiara.
Vivacious Ashtyn underwent a second brain surgery after arriving at St. Jude as well as proton therapy and chemotherapy. She also received physical and occupational therapies and even started kindergarten through the St. Jude school program.
Ashtyn warms everyone’s heart.
She has now finished treatment and returns to St. Jude regularly for checkups and scans. She is also a proud big sister to her new baby brother.
Kaira and Brittney describe Ashtyn as full of energy and sass, and hope that she’ll grow up to touch other people’s lives, as St. Jude has touched theirs.
Meet more patients
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Our Patient Stories
Be inspired by the touching stories of St. Jude patients facing childhood cancer and other diseases.
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Holiday Video: Thank you for your support
Thank you for your support for the kids of St. Jude in 2024.
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Meet Charlie
Diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma in his shoulder, Charlie was referred to St. Jude then underwent chemotherapy and surgery to replace a cancerous bone with titanium.
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Meet Brayden
Brayden received chemotherapy as well as proton therapy for medulloblastoma at the first proton therapy center in the world dedicated solely to children.
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Meet patient Natalie
Natalie seemed like a healthy toddler. But one day, she stopped using her left arm. She had Stage IV neuroblastoma and was referred to St. Jude for treatment.
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Meet Misheel
Misheel was diagnosed with brain cancer and was referred to St. Jude, where she has received treatment, which included chemotherapy and radiation therapy. She has refused to let her illness keep her from spreading joy to others.
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Meet Gideon
After Gideon was diagnosed with stage 4 neuroblastoma, he was referred to St. Jude for immediate treatment.
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Meet Camila
Camila was diagnosed three days before her 3rd birthday with a solid cancerous tumor of the kidney. Read her story.
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Meet Alejandro
Ines and Alejandro think of their son Alejandro every day. Their active and curious boy would have been near adulthood by now. They honor his memory through their commitment to St. Jude. Read more here.
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Meet Phoenix
Christmas Day plans for Phoenix’s family didn’t include a life-altering trip to the hospital. But at St. Jude, this close-knit family has been given hope.
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Meet Avery
Avery was diagnosed with sickle cell disease soon after birth and she received a bone marrow transplant at St. Jude in early 2023. Her donor was one of her older sisters.
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Meet Eli
At just 6 years old, Eli was diagnosed with osteosarcoma. His family was referred to St. Jude for his treatment and Eli underwent surgery to remove the tumor and a portion of his tibia.
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Meet Joshua
St. Jude patient Joshua recently took to the court to help end childhood cancer by fundraising for St. Jude.
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Meet Lucas: Patient
Lucas, who is from Chile, was 3-years old when he was diagnosed with neuroblastoma and was referred to St. Jude.
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Meet Avyan
Avyan carries himself with confidence and strength beyond his years. His manner has given fortitude to his family as they walk through an unimaginable reality.