Marina
At just two years old, Jessie from Augusta, Kansas received a diagnosis no family ever hopes to hear—a rare form of liver cancer. In the midst of fear and uncertainty, her family turned to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, where their lives would change forever.
From day one, St. Jude’s commitment was clear: provide comprehensive cancer care with no cost to families, allowing them to focus solely on their child’s recovery.
Jessie’s treatment began the same night she arrived—an immediate response that offered both medical intervention and hope.
Five Years Later: A Life Reclaimed
Now, at seven years old, Jessie is cancer-free and embracing life’s ordinary joys with extraordinary resilience:
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Age at Diagnosis | 2 years old (July 2020) |
| Current Age | 7 years old (5 years post-diagnosis) |
| Cancer Type | Rare liver cancer |
| Treatment Start | Began treatment immediately upon arrival |
| Current Status | Living a normal, healthy childhood |
| Annual Patients at St. Jude | Over 8,000 pediatric patients served |
| Support Initiative | Dream Home Giveaway supports care for families like Jessie’s |
| Dream Home Value | Approximately $710,000, includes modern amenities |
| Tickets Sold | Over 2,300 Dream Home tickets purchased to help fund care |
How St. Jude Made a Difference
- Immediate care: Upon arriving at the hospital, Jessie and her family were met with a dedicated team of doctors and specialists who laid out the treatment plan instantly.
- Financial peace of mind: The generous support prevented financial burden, ensuring the family could focus entirely on Jessie’s well-being.
- Comprehensive treatment: Through specialized medical care, Jessie received everything needed—surgery, medications, follow-up—without cost, running alongside her family’s emotional strength.
Impact Beyond Jessie’s Journey
St. Jude continues to support over 8,000 children annually, transforming lives by removing financial obstacles to life-saving treatments. One innovative program fueling this mission is the Dream Home Giveaway:
- Dream Home features include electric vehicle charging ports, a three-car garage, a wet bar, and a dramatic floor-to-ceiling fireplace.
- Community participation: Tickets are priced at $100 each, and with over 2,300 sold, the initiative already demonstrates strong backing—each sale powering a child’s fight against cancer.
Jessie’s story is a beacon of hope—a seven-year-old Augusta cancer survivor experiencing the simple joys of childhood, from playing with friends to attending school, free from the shadow of her diagnosis.
Her successful recovery is a testament to the life-changing power of accessible, compassionate healthcare.
Through institutions like St. Jude, and community-driven programs like the Dream Home Giveaway, countless families like Jessie’s gain the chance not just to survive—but to thrive.
