Sara Cunningham

I’m joining the nationwide movement to honor Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and support those who need us most — the kids of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital®. By participating in the St. Jude Walk, I am helping to cure childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases.

Meet Alexa.

Alexa was diagnosed in July of 2013 with Stage 4 Neuroblastoma. She was 15 months old with a massive tumor on her spine and disease in her bones and bone marrow. After a grueling 8 months of chemotherapy, she was declared in remission, only to relapse just 6 months later. This moved her into the high risk category, with a 25% chance of survival. Over the next 6 years, Alexa endured high dose chemotherapy, radiation to her spine and femur, stem cell transplant, multiple cycles of immunotherapy,  years of clinical trials, countless infections, hearing loss, surgeries, sepsis, and TWO more relapses. We could write an entire book about her journey, the ups and downs, and the roller coaster of emotions we went through as a family fighting for our young child's life. 

Fear, joy, uncertainty, grief, hope, devastation, guilt, relief, tears, anger, sadness…..7 years fighting a battle we weren't sure we could win. 7 years not knowing if we would see her next birthday. 

But. There was not ONE MOMENT of this journey where we didn't have a tribe of warriors fighting right along side us. 

St. Jude was there with us every single step of the way. Our team of doctors, nurses, child life specialists, volunteers, sponsors, and so many more--they were the light in the darkness that is Cancer. 

Without them, we would not have survived.

Without them, Alexa would not be here with us, HEALTHY AND THRIVING at 13 years old.

Without YOU, our donors, St. Jude would not have been able to give the life saving treatment that saved not only Alexa, but countless others.

We owe them her life.

Will you help me give back so that they can continue to be a light in the darkness?
 

Can I count on your donation to help me reach my goal?

Because of generous donors, families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food – so they can focus on helping their child live. By donating to my fundraising efforts, you are helping to make that possible.

Thank you for supporting me and the lifesaving work happening at St. Jude today.