Scarlet’s parents were on their overdue honeymoon in New York, three years after their wedding, when they received a call they will never forget.
Their two-year-old daughter was not well, and doctors suspected something serious. They referred Scarlet’s case to a pediatric children’s hospital in Louisiana. A few hours later, Scarlet’s parents, who were arranging their return home, received another call. Scarlet had leukemia.
Doctors referred Scarlet to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
St. Jude patient Scarlet
In less than 24 hours we were packing new bags and heading to St. Jude. I prayed and hoped that God would take care of her.
—Scarlet's mother, Saneetra
At St. Jude, doctors diagnosed Scarlet with acute myeloid leukemia, a type of cancer that starts in the cells of the bone marrow.
Families, like Scarlet's, never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food.
St. Jude patient Scarlet with her mom
Scarlet received five rounds of chemotherapy at St. Jude. She and her mom lived at Target House for half a year while Scarlet was in treatment. Scarlet’s dad, Scott, remained at home where he continued to work and take care of Scarlet’s siblings.
Saneetra, who took a one-year unpaid leave from her teaching job to be with Scarlet, said she is grateful that she never received a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food.
St. Jude is my saving grace — as far as providing the care for my baby and being able to be housed and meals taken care of. They truly explained things to me because they lived and breathed this disease, and that was comforting to me.
—Scarlet's mother, Saneetra
Patient Scarlet with her mom
Scarlet celebrated her third birthday earlier this year at home. Her mother described her as energetic and spirited, a girl who loves Minnie and Mickey Mouse, dancing, singing, playing outside, playing with dollhouses, coloring and playing with her sister.
“She’s a happy, typical three-year-old,’’ her mom said.
Your donation helps give kids like Scarlet the chance to grow up.
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