Every year 175,000 children ages 14 and under worldwide are diagnosed with cancer.
HelloBeautiful has teamed up with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital® to help raise awareness and share stories about the families and patients affected by childhood cancer – children like 11-year-old Jordyn, a four-time Louisiana state gymnastics champion.
In 2014, the Louisiana native, who has earned more than 90 medals, began to lose her appetite and developed a series of spiking fevers. Just 30 days later, physicians discovered Jordyn suffered from acute lymphoblastic leukemia, a blood cancer that is the most common form of childhood cancer. The family was immediately referred to St. Jude in Memphis, Tennessee, for continued treatment and care.
“We knew St. Jude was the best place for childhood cancer,” said Chastity, Jordyn’s mom. “We knew that when families go to St. Jude, they have no worries. They’re going to be taken care of.”
The 11-year-old is currently undergoing two-and-a-half years of chemotherapy.
Thanks to the exceptional care at St. Jude, Jordyn began sixth grade this fall.
Prior to being diagnosed with cancer, Jordyn averaged 20 hours of gymnastic training during the week. She hopes to continue to pursue her dreams of becoming an Olympic gymnast.
“St. Jude has given her hope she’ll return to gymnastics, and that’s helped her fight, it’s helped her stay positive,” her mom said. “Jordyn is passionate about being athletic. She’s passionate about saying, ‘Hey, this happened to me, but I’m going to bounce back.’”
PHOTO CREDIT: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital®
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