For weeks, 7-year-old Carson ran a low-grade fever off and on and he was always tired. He no longer wanted to run around and play. When blood work revealed Carson had acute myeloid leukemia, an aggressive form of blood cancer, his parents, Kori and William, were devastated. “Up until then, he’d been so healthy,” Kori said at the time.
St. Jude patient Carson
Carson’s family turned to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. “The first time we walked in the doors of St. Jude, it was the most incredible feeling,” Kori said at the time.
At St. Jude, Carson underwent chemotherapy. With his cancer in remission, he was able to undergo a bone marrow transplant at a hospital near his home.
St. Jude is a place full of hope. We see success stories every day. Miracles happen every day here.
Unfortunately, Carson’s cancer did not stay in remission long. His family turned to St. Jude for his continuing treatment, which included chemotherapy and a second transplant.
“Carson has handled things like a champ,” William said at the time. “We’re in amazement of just how much he pushes through.”
St. Jude patient Carson and his mom, Kori
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.
Carson’s cancer came back and he underwent a third transplant. It was a difficult road, and throughout his treatment he missed his dog and extended family back home. Through it all, Carson stayed positive.
St. Jude patient Carson and his mom, Kori
Carson was outgoing and talkative. He was wild about Minecraft and loved to play video games with his best friend, Zac, who was also a patient and passed away in November 2023. Playing video games was a way for the boys to relax and forget about cancer for a little while.
Editor's note: We regret to inform you that Carson passed away in 2022.
Meet more patients
-
Meet Rylee
When Rylee was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, she was referred to St. Jude for treatment. She received chemotherapy and had surgery to remove the tumor. Amidst these challenges, the family found hope at St. Jude.
-
Meet Pablo Jose
Pablo Jose was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in 2021 at the age of 5 in his homeland of Guatemala. ALL is the most common type of childhood cancer.
-
Meet Hayden
Hayden is back in Jamaica after eye cancer treatment, but he often asks his parents when they will go “home” to St. Jude where he received medical care.
-
Meet Camila
Camila was diagnosed three days before her 3rd birthday with a solid cancerous tumor of the kidney. Read her story.
-
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.
-
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.
-
Patient Art Storytelling & Gifts
Meet our patient artists and see how creating art helps them cope with diagnosis and treatment. We feature patient artwork at the hospital and on gifts to inspire staff, other patients and supporters.
-
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.
-
Meet Hunter
Hunter was diagnosed with osteosarcoma and was immediately referred to St. Jude. Hunter has chosen to face adversity with good humor and determination.
-
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.
-
Holiday Video: Thank you for your support
Thank you for your support for the kids of St. Jude in 2024.
-
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.
-
Meet Shayla
Shayla started getting frequent nosebleeds, and blood work showed she had acute myeloid leukemia. Read about her treatment at St. Jude.
-
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.
-
Meet Mila
Mila was found to have both Down Syndrome and a leukemia precursor. She underwent months of chemotherapy at St. Jude for acute myeloid leukemia, but even on days she didn’t feel great, she was smiling and playing.