Meet Elizabeth!  She is Cat Country 107.3's St. Jude Patient of the Month!

Diagnosis:

Elizabeth has been fighting acute lymphoblastic leukemia since age 1.

Elizabeth's story:

Elizabeth's parents, both professionals in the medical field, are no strangers to a medical crisis. But they never expected one to hit so close to home.

Last summer, their daughter Elizabeth, not even 2 years old, fell onto a toy while playing. Little bruises spread down her legs. Due to her medical background, Elizabeth's mother knew the bruises could mean leukemia.

A complete blood count confirmed her fears: Elizabeth suffered from acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), a type of blood cancer. Her mother's thoughts raced. “Is this the last time I’m going to see her? Is she going to die?”

Elizabeth’s doctor immediately referred her to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. St. Jude has increased the survival rates for Elizabeth's type of leukemia from 4 percent before opening in 1962 to 94 percent today.

St. Jude doctors quickly began chemotherapy. Now, about a year into treatment, Elizabeth’s cancer is in remission, but she still has to undergo another year-and-a-half of chemotherapy to lower the risks of her cancer returning.

Being familiar with hospital environments from their careers in medicine, Elizabeth’s parents have been amazed by the upbeat and child-friendly atmosphere at St. Jude. “People here at St. Jude love their jobs, and they’re great with the kids,” says her mom. “And that makes it so much easier to be here.”

Elizabeth’s mom is grateful for her daughter’s progress — and grateful her family will never see a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food. Thanks to people who donate to St. Jude, she says, “children who were never going to have a chance in life now have a chance.”

To help give hope to children such as Elizabeth who are fighting life-threatening illnesses, please become a Partner In Hope monthly donor.

More From Cat Country 107.3