Three Stories of Hope

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Ay’Den’s story

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital®, CFC #10560

When Ay’Den collapsed in December 2020, his family was afraid he had COVID-19. They never imagined he would be diagnosed with leukemia. Ay’Den was quickly referred to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital®, where he began receiving chemotherapy. A gentle kid with a ready smile – a “sweetheart,” said his mom – Ay’Den likes coloring, dogs and video games. His mom was surprised to find out how much St. Jude does for families. Seeing her child through cancer during a pandemic was hard, but, said Ay’Den’s mom, “St. Jude made us comfortable. I don’t know what I would have done without them.” Ay’Den has now successfully finished cancer treatment.

Treatments invented at St. Jude have helped push the overall childhood cancer survival rate in the United States from 20% to more than 80%, and no child is denied treatment based on race, religion or a family’s ability to pay.

Jill’s story

American Cancer Society, CFC #10570

Jill Chang never dreamed she’d be diagnosed with cancer at age 30. Chang was in the early years of her marriage with a new baby and new career as a nurse. Over the next 10 years, Chang was treated with surgery and chemotherapy.

Chang and her family participated in the American Cancer Society Relay For Life events in Ohio, raising money for research and services for cancer patients and caregivers. Chang joined a team and walked the survivor lap.

“I want others to…get tested and be able to make well-informed decisions about their medical care,” said Chang. “With this knowledge, I can give myself and my family a fighting chance…embrace life every day, and to live out my dreams of being there to raise my sons, grow old with my husband, and maybe hold my grandkids one day.”

Elizabeth’s Story

Samaritan’s Purse, CFC #10532

When she was only seven years old, Elizabeth and her two younger sisters were placed in an orphanage and then foster care in Latvia. They were made fun of at school for ill-fitting, secondhand clothes. Eight children had to use the same bathwater. She and her sisters were often hungry.

A few years later when Elizabeth was waiting line for food assistance, someone offered her an Operation Christmas Child shoebox from Samaritan’s Purse. In her shoebox gift, Elizabeth found a toothbrush, coloring book, notebook, lipstick, and a purple mouse stuffed animal. “That purple mouse was the first toy I ever owned that belonged solely to me…I slept with it by my pillow…Receiving that shoebox gift played a huge part in my life. It changed my perspective on life and people. I started to believe that there were good and thoughtful people out there.” Eventually, Elizabeth and her sisters were adopted by a family in the U.S., where they now pack shoeboxes to bring hope to other children.