In the months before her diagnosis, Mary Browder's life was a blur — horseback riding, canoeing, rock climbing, playing golf and sailing.
Mary Browder (left) with her family
Then, in November 2013, Mary Browder slowed down — abruptly.
She started running a fever. She was lethargic and lost weight. Her doctor thought she had pneumonia, but antibiotics didn’t help.
Mary Browder with her siblings
In January 2014, a chest X-ray revealed a mass on Mary Browder's chest.
Further testing revealed she suffered from Hodgkin lymphoma, a cancer of the lymph system.
Her pediatrician referred her to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee.
Families, like Mary Browder's, never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food.
Mary Browder with her family on vacation in 2018
At St. Jude, Mary Browder's treatment included several rounds of chemotherapy.
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While receiving lifesaving treatment, she also participated in a clinical study intended to decrease the side effects of chemotherapy.
Her parents credit St. Jude for saving her life while maintaining her quality of life.
We knew that St. Jude would take care of our daughter, and this was an opportunity to make that healing that much better.
Mary Browder with Monika Metzger, MD in 2014
Today, Mary Browder is a high school senior who visits St. Jude just for checkups.
St. Jude is a place where everyone cares about you. Not just because it's in their job description, but because they truly want to.
Her schedule is as busy as always.
She enjoys speech and golf and competes in Junior PGA tournaments.
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