From heartbreak to joy: A grandmother recounts granddaughter’s treatment at St. Jude

Photo: Fletcher and her mom

Throughout my life, I received address labels from St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, not fully grasping their mission. Out of gratitude, I’d send $20 or $50 donations. But in 2022, when I became a grandmother for the first time to my precious granddaughter, Fletcher, my perspective on St. Jude changed completely.

Fletcher was born with a congenital brain tumor following my daughter, Stevee’s, complication-free pregnancy. The baby was sent home for hospice care. We were completely heartbroken. We live in a rural area in the mountains of Maryland, and everyone began to pray for Fletcher. Pink bows soon sprouted in our community in support of our little girl.  

God, though, had bigger plans. As we prayed, Fletcher thrived. She took a pacifier and her bottle; actions we were told she was never going to do. 

At 3 months old, Fletcher arrived at St. Jude, where our family was given hope immediately. Fletcher’s medical team worked together to provide her with the best care. A biopsy showed that Fletcher had an infant-type hemispheric glioma, a brain tumor. She completed treatment in October 2023. 

There is no question that God led us to St. Jude to save Fletcher’s life. But I’m not sharing the entire story unless I share everything that St. Jude did for my family.

Stevee and my son-in-law, Billy, are a hardworking couple, but medical costs could have surely devastated them. When Stevee and Billy arrived at St. Jude, staff not only took care of Fletcher but of them, too. St. Jude covered transportation costs to and from Maryland, paid for meals and provided them a place to stay near the hospital so they would not have to leave Fletcher’s side. 

When St. Jude founder Danny Thomas promised he would build this hospital, God followed through. He still does, as he brings children and their families to Memphis where lives are changed. 

Never in my wildest dreams did I think this was what St. Jude did when I received those address labels. I am blessed. I have witnessed my blessings first-hand through Fletcher, who turned 2 years old this past July. I can honestly not put into words how grateful I am for this amazing place. Thank you.