Meet Hazel

When Hazel was referred to St. Jude for treatment of a brain tumor, she and her family found hope despite the challenges they faced.

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St. Jude patient Hazel

Hazel's story

Hazel loves ballet, rainbows, fairies and mermaids. But her biggest love these days is her baby sister, Eliza, whom she helps style by picking out adorable outfits, with hopes of playing dress-up together in the future.

“She wants to hold her sister every day,” her mom, Hannah said.

For Hannah, watching her two daughters together is a dream come true.

In 2022, when Hazel was 2, her parents noticed she was having balance issues. A visit to a local hospital in Kentucky revealed a brain tumor. Thirty-six hours later, Hazel had brain surgery. When the couple left Hazel in the pre-op room, they were overwhelmed with emotions.

St. Jude patient Hazel with her parents

St Jude patient Hazel with her mom

We didn’t know what would happen or who would be coming out. A few long hours later, we found out that it was still Hazel who came out as feisty as ever.

- David, Hazel's dad

Doctors were able to remove the tumor, but Hazel was going to need further treatment for the malignant tumor called medulloblastoma. Hazel was referred to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee.

At St. Jude, Hazel received chemotherapy and then proton radiation. Hazel returned home in September of 2023 and returns to St. Jude every three months for checkups.

Families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food — so they can focus on helping their child live.

St. Jude is the place that gave Hazel a chance at life. Everybody at St. Jude was kind. People knew us and we knew them, and it was amazing that our needs were met on such a broad level. It wasn’t just medical care but making sure that we had what we needed to meet her needs.

- Hannah, Hazel's mom