When Eli’s mom, herself a healthcare professional, viewed his X-ray, she could scarcely believe her eyes. The bone in her son’s leg looked like it was dissolving.
At just 6 years old, Eli was soon diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer.
St. Jude patient Eli with his mom
The family was referred to St. Jude for Eli’s treatment. Eli underwent surgery to remove the tumor and a portion of his tibia, then received several months of chemotherapy.
During this time, he and his mom lived in St. Jude housing, where they grew closer than ever.
You don’t believe it until you experience it. They told us as long as we are here, we are covered. As time went by and we didn’t have to worry about anything, we were impressed — this is real.
— Liliana, Eli's mom
Families, like Eli's, will never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food.
Eli is curious, likes math and wants to be an astronaut when he grows up.
September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
One in five children diagnosed with cancer in the U.S. won’t survive. St. Jude won’t stop until no child dies from cancer. With your support, we’ll be one step closer to that day. One cure closer. One child closer. Let’s cure childhood cancer. Together. Join us in donating to bone cancer research and help change the lives of children battling cancer.
Meet more patients
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Meet Ava
Five-year-old Ava had a cancerous brain tumor called medulloblastoma. Referred to St. Jude, she underwent a second surgery, proton therapy and chemotherapy.
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Meet Ay'Den
Ay'Den is a kind boy with an easy smile. When he collapsed, his family was afraid he had COVID-19. Ay'Den would be diagnosed with leukemia and referred to St. Jude.
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Meet Eri'Elle
Eri’Elle was just two years old when her troubles started. Her mother took her to a pediatrician and insisted they run tests to get to the bottom of her baby’s symptoms.
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Meet Luna
When St. Jude patient Luna started to feel sick, her parents became concerned. Doctors in Guatemala confirmed what her parents had feared: Luna had leukemia.
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Meet Nova
Though Nova's eye cancer is aggressive and she is being treated for a second time, her parents know the doctors at St. Jude will stop at nothing to help their baby girl live.
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Meet Patient Lucas
Around Thanksgiving of 2020, three-year-old Lucas was complaining of headaches. His parents thought he just wanted attention. An MRI indicated something more serious.
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Meet Sariyah
In the summer of 2020, photos taken of St. Jude patient Sariyah by her mother showed signs of cancerous tumors in both eyes at the age of 18 months.