In May 2015, her second year of college, Katherin was found to suffer from a cancerous tumor called an undifferentiated small round cell sarcoma. Her doctor referred her for treatment at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
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.
The fact that St. Jude doesn’t charge us a cent means that all that stress and worry is gone, and we can focus on our daughter
Amanda, Katherin's mom
"The fact that St. Jude doesn’t charge us a cent means that all that stress and worry is gone, and we can focus on our daughter," said Katherin’s mom, Amanda.
Katherin’s treatment at St. Jude includes 14 rounds of chemotherapy and two surgeries to remove the tumor.
While in treatment, she misses playing soccer and cuddling with her chihuahua, Bibi. But she knows she’s in the right place.
“I couldn’t miss anything else because St. Jude makes me feel at home,” Katherin said. “The care I receive at St. Jude is like no other. My family and my St. Jude family are fighting alongside me. Everyone encourages me and makes me feel like I can do anything.”
Help our families focus on their sick child, not medical bills.
When you donate monthly, your gift means families, like Katherin's, 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.
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Meet Ximena
Of her daughter’s diagnosis, her mother, Nora, said “We were on a dark path. But when we arrived at St. Jude, it was like seeing light on the path.”
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Meet Chloe
When Chloe was found to suffer from cancer , her mom asked the pediatrician: Where would you send your child? The pediatrician didn't hesitate.
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Meet Lillian
Chemotherapy isn't easy, and we support the emotional well-being of patients like Lillian undergoing treatment. “ St. Jude is giving me my child,” says her mom.
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Meet Azalea
When Azalea's family learned she had soft tissue cancer, they knew they wanted the best care for her. So they traveled from Jamaica to St. Jude to begin Azalea's treatment.
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Meet patient Camila
After undergoing treatment in her home country of Nicaragua, Camila’s family turned to St. Jude for continuing care for acute myeloid leukemia.
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Meet Hannah
After receiving a devastating diagnosis, Hannah's family turned to St. Jude, where they would be free to focus on her treatment.