Con solo tres años, Jean Pierre fue diagnosticado con craneofaringioma, un tumor que crece en el cerebro y puede causar otras enfermedades.
Cuando llegó a St. Jude, Jean Pierre comenzó su tratamiento, el cual consistía en recibir una sesión de radioterapia cada día por tres meses. Más tarde también recibiría terapia física y del habla.
Ya con 18 años, Jean Pierre atribuye su pasión por diseñar y construir al tiempo que pasó como paciente en St. Jude.
Para poder seguir desarrollando esta pasión, Jean Pierre decidió mudarse de su país natal, Costa Rica, a los Estados Unidos. Es aquí donde atenderá a Penn State University para estudiar ingeniería informática.
Jean Pierre, paciente de St. Jude, con su mamá
St. Jude me dio una segunda oportunidad para vivir. Eso no es algo que voy a malgastar.
— Jean Pierre
Las familias, como la de Jean Pierre, nunca recibirán una factura de St. Jude por tratamiento, transporte, hospedaje ni alimentación.
Jean Pierre dice que su experiencia en St. Jude ayudó a moldearlo a la persona que es hoy. El mencionó que “esa experiencia me enseñó a tener una actitud más positiva y a ser más amigable hacia las personas en mi vida."
Jean Pierre, paciente de St. Jude, con su familia en Costa Rica
El papá de Jean Pierre no puede esperar al día en el cual su hijo de gradué de la universidad. También espera que su hijo siempre apoye a St. Jude.
Jean Pierre, paciente de St. Jude, disfrutando con su familia en un bote
St. Jude significa el mundo para nosotros. Hoy podemos abrazar a nuestro hijo gracias a ellos.
— Papá de Jean Pierre
Conoce a más pacientes
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Meet Aspen
Aspen was not yet two when diagnosed with neuroblastoma. She was treated in the Philippines but six months later, the cancer was spreading so she was referred to St. Jude.
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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 Avyan
Avyan carries himself with confidence and strength beyond his years. His manner has given fortitude to his family as they walk through an unimaginable reality.
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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 Eduardo
At 6 months old, Eduardo was referred to St. Jude where he was diagnosed with liver cancer. His treatment included surgery to remove the mass and chemotherapy.
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Meet Eli
At just 6 years old, Eli was diagnosed with osteosarcoma. His family was referred to St. Jude for his treatment and Eli underwent surgery to remove the tumor and a portion of his tibia.
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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 Gabe
When the lights on the Christmas tree hurt Gabe’s eyes, his mom knew something was wrong.
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Meet Mikayla
Over Christmas 2020, something was wrong with then one-year-old Mikayla. Referred to St. Jude, her cancer was identified as acute myeloid leukemia. Mikayla successfully underwent chemotherapy.
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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.