In hopes of raising awareness in the fight against childhood cancer, HelloBeautiful teamed up with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital® to spotlight the stories of children and families affected by these diseases.
Since opening in 1962, St. Jude has been at the forefront in the research and treatment of childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases, impacting the lives of children across the country and around the world, children like 2-year-old Esmeralda. Nine months ago, the toddler’s family discovered she suffered from Wilms tumor, a type of kidney cancer. The family traveled more than 300 miles from Alabama to St. Jude for her continued treatment and care.
At St. Jude, Esmeralda’s treatment includes surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
“St. Jude is a miracle,” Esmeralda’s mother said. “It’s truly a blessing here.”
Esmeralda is a cheerful and affectionate girl. She enjoys playing with dolls, and her favorite cartoon is Dora the Explorer.
Treatments invented at St. Jude have helped push the overall childhood cancer survival rate from 20 percent to more than 80 percent.
St. Jude is working to drive the overall survival rate for childhood cancer to 90 percent. St. Jude won’t stop until no child dies from cancer. And families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food – because all a family should worry about is helping their child live.
PHOTO CREDIT: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital®
