No Bills for St. Jude Patients, Just Treatment and Smiles
I love that St. Jude has no bills and no payments for the families there. The only thing they need to focus on is helping the kiddos heal. All medical treatments, doctor visits, lodging, food is all taken care of. They make the place so special for children and their families. From celerity visits, to parties, to dances, to prizes, wagon rides and lots of silliness. After all laughter is an essential part of healing and of childhood. In the just over 50 years that St. Jude has been around they have brought the childhood cancer survival rate from 20% to 80% but wont stop until it is at 100%. The ability to be able to do that comes from donations from people like you.
We have a couple of amazing local kids who are both still here because of St. Jude. Krew from Middleton and now a young teen. Here is more about him:
Krew’s Mom says that her son is a 13 year old who loves life, his friends and his family. He has such a sweet, innocent personality. He is a people pleaser who strives to do the right thing thing and make others around him feel good. Krew loves to be active and play sports. He is not afraid to try something new. He is adventurous and wants to see the world! Krew has not let his diagnosis or the effects of it negatively impact him. With right side facial paralysis, things that once came easy to him now pose a challenge. Even with this, he continues to persevere with his head held high. We love Krew, as his grandma would say: more than tongue can tell! - Krew’s Mom
Jack is another local boy who was diagnosed at 7 with a massive and rare brain tumor. He almost didn't make it multiple times but thanks to the incredible advances in science and the work and doctors at St. Jude Jack is, now 7 years later a young teen that goes to Eagle Middle school. Here is more on what happened with Jack as written by his mother Tiffany.
On March 20, 2014, Jack was diagnosed with craniopharyngioma, an aggressive brain tumor. Jack was referred to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, where he underwent surgery and six weeks of proton therapy to treat the tumor. Throughout their stay at St. Jude, Jack’s family has been grateful for the care and support they’ve received. St. Jude is an absolute blessing for us.” 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. While Jack’s treatment has been tough, he hasn’t let anything bring him down. “He’s a very happy boy,” said Tiffany. “He wants to be a veterinarian when he grows up.” Although Jack is legally blind, he hasn’t let that hold him back. Jack participated on his school’s track and field team and he is going into 7thgrade!" - Jack’s Mom
Find out more about Jack and Tiffany's journey here.