Childhood Cancer Spotlight: Hazel

St. Jude Patient of the Month – April

Cancer Warrior fighting at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

Hazel is a big personality in a tiny package. Her dad says, “She is loud, she’s energetic, and she loves wearing big poofy dresses and spinning around and being ridiculous.” But in November 2022, over the course of 36 hours, Hazel went from walking normally to being unable to balance even while sitting. “We thought Hazel was acting a little weird, then my mom noticed her balance was off,” Hazel’s mom said. A CT scan at their local emergency room revealed a brain tumor. Hazel was diagnosed with medulloblastoma, a type of brain cancer. She had surgery to remove the tumor at the local children’s hospital and was referred to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital for follow-up treatment, where she was the first patient to be enrolled in a new clinical trial for medulloblastoma. Her dad says, “One of our biggest hopes is that Hazel’s treatment here at St. Jude will be a beginning of new treatment for kids throughout the world.” Because of generous donors, families like Hazel’s never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food — so they can focus on helping their child live. Hazel’s mom says, “We’ve been surrounded with a lot of care and compassion. There is nothing hidden — no catch. St. Jude is just amazing.”

Thank you to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital for providing Hazel’s story – click here for more information about how Sky High for Kids supports Cancer Warriors like Hazel!