Meet A Patient
When Lisa’s 2-year-old son Javon was referred to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, she felt a rising dread. For weeks, Javon had experienced bruising, high fevers and ear infections. His pediatrician ran blood work and suspected acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). To Lisa, it felt like déjà vu: In the 1980s, Lisa herself was treated at St. Jude for leukemia.
St. Jude doctors confirmed the diagnosis and started him on three-year protocol of high-dose chemotherapy. On Javon’s first day at St. Jude as a patient, Lisa’s favorite nurses from the old days offered her comfort. Javon’s cancer went into remission, and he responded well to treatment. However, the day he was supposed to end chemotherapy, doctors found that he had relapsed. Javon underwent radiation and an additional 146 weeks of chemotherapy. He completed treatment in October 2008.
Today, Javon is an active boy who is always quick with a smile. He likes the Power Rangers and singing. Javon’s little sister was recently diagnosed with ALL, as well. He reassures her during her treatment and lends a hand to his mom when needed.
Hoops for St. Jude turns your passion for basketball into hope for kids battling cancer and other deadly diseases. Get in the game now and make a donation, get your school involved or contact us.