WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) – Reserve your St. Jude Dream Home giveaway ticket by Oct. 2 and be entered for a chance to win airline miles.
The American Airlines Advantage miles are valued at $5,000. Less than 2,000 tickets are left. To reserve yours, click here. The giveaway for the home will be Oct. 23.
The profits raised help sick children worldwide, including the two we met.
Puerto Rico teen helped by St. Jude
Reynaldo Martell, 15, from Puerto Rico, was diagnosed with cancer in 2018.
“Something called embryonal teratoma sarcoma, stage four, which is basically a tumor that was located between my prostate and bladder,” he said.
Doctors told Reynaldo his only option would be chemo. Shortly after, a St. Jude television commercial changed his family’s outlook.
“We talked with my oncologist, and in less than, in less than an hour or two, St. Jude had already bought me tickets to come here to Memphis.”
His family never received a bill for travel or treatment.
“It was just incredible for us because my parents started to worry only about my health rather than worrying about how they’re going to be able to afford it.”
For 11 months, Reynaldo went through multiple rounds of chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery. He had a short-lived remission before receiving devastating next.
“Six months later, I came here, and then they discovered that I had some active cells where I used to have my tumor.”
For a second time, the hospital took care of him.
“I don’t see it as a place where I was sick. I see it as a place where I was able to be myself.”
Reynaldo is now cancer-free and living the life he always wanted.
Kansas teen helped by St. Jude
Bella is now 13 years old and from Wichita. At 18 months old, she was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Her family says St. Jude changed their cancer journey.
“We were just devastated and crushed, wondering if our daughter was going to make it to her second birthday,” Josh, Bella’s dad, said.
She was on and off chemotherapy for years, and in 2017, she had proton beam radiation.
“I just remember always going back and flying or driving and just being there at the hospital,” Bella said.
The hospital became a saving grace as the doctor said her tumor was now dead.
“I about cried because I’ve been going through it my whole life and just knowing that I don’t have to worry about it anymore and it’s dead just made me so happy,” Bella said.
“We’re so grateful to the Lord for the hospital like St Jude because it’s one of a kind,” Josh said.
