Team Joely

Why We Support St. Jude

Our son Joely was diagnosed with a rare eye cancer called retinoblastoma when he was 18 months old. Over the next few days of searching and prayer, the door opened for him to come to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, TN just before Christmas of 2018. Those days were very uncertain as we hoped to save his vision, his eyes, and ultimately his life as we were praying that the cancer had not spread into other parts of his body at that point. At St. Jude we not only found Joely in the very best care, but we also felt that we were experiencing a bit of heaven here on earth. We felt that every doctor, nurse, therapist and even every custodian and food service worker truly had found their life's purpose to serve at St. Jude, and we experienced the greatest care and support for our entire family that we had ever known in a healthcare setting. On top of that, we have never received a single bill from St. Jude, and they have also helped cover most of our travel expenses and lodging. The quality of first-class care that Joely has received has been unbelievable, but for it to be completely free felt like a dream. It was definitely an answer to prayer. 

We are eternally grateful, and this is why we will be walking this September at the St. Jude Walk/Run. Joely has said that he knows he won't win the race, but he is determined to cross the finish line. We believe that this is St. Jude's goal too. They will not stop until they cross the finish line of curing every child of cancer. Thank you for joining us in supporting this lifesaving work.