Moms Know Best: Kennedi's mom, Chauntay

When Kennedi was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and referred to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital®, the world seemed to collapse around my husband and me. The fear of losing her was overwhelming. I remember kneeling beside her bed as the chemo coursed through her tiny 3-year-old body and praying to God for her relief.

Not long after, in the depths of this despair, hope entered our lives. 

A woman named Lindsey saw me crying in the clinic waiting area and hugged me. She handed me a necklace that said “Hope” from the St. Jude gift shop and explained she had been a St. Jude patient with ALL, the same diagnosis as Kennedi. Lindsey now works for ALSAC, the fundraising and awareness organization for St. Jude.

“I want you to hold onto this necklace,” Lindsey said, “and I want you to give it to Kennedi on her wedding day.” 

I have never forgotten that kindness or what it meant to me at that moment.

The community of St. Jude surrounded us with love.  

Kennedi’s doctor, Elizabeth Stewart, MD, treated Kennedi like she was her own daughter. We trusted her so much. After two-and-a-half years of treatment, Kennedi celebrated with a No More Chemo party.

In elementary school, Kennedi struggled at first, but a teacher at her school who knew Kennedi’s story volunteered to tutor her. Kennedi worked hard. She was determined. By sixth grade, the light came on for Kennedi. By seventh grade, she made honor roll. Now she’s graduating high school with honors. She has four college acceptances. 

Her passion for science, math and computers blossomed through the Black Girls Code summer program, sponsored by my sorority, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., a proud partner of St. Jude. Inspired by these experiences, Kennedi plans to major in computer science and study cybersecurity in college.

I’m enormously proud of both of my children, who have each been so touched by St. Jude. 

Kennedi’s older brother, Jordan, was profoundly affected while his sister was undergoing cancer treatment. Witnessing our pain, he resolved to understand and combat diseases as an epidemiologist. Now, he’ll be pursuing his doctorate at the University of Alabama at Birmingham in the fall, aspiring to work at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

Kennedi’s car bears a front license plate that says “Blessed,” a testament to her journey. She is a glam diva, but also the most giving person you will ever meet. I think that’s because she was enveloped by kindness during her time at St. Jude.

When I see St. Jude commercials now, I weep. I understand what those families are going through, and I feel so blessed to have had St. Jude. 

St. Jude was one of the most beautiful experiences of our lives.  

I still have that Hope necklace that Lindsey gave me, and when Kennedi gets married, I will give it to her. Because hope was always meant to be shared. Lindsey taught me that.