Cancer survivor talks experience with St. Jude Research Hospital

TOPEKA (KSNT) - Tickets are on sale for this year's St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway in Topeka with purchases going towards helping patients at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

FOX 43 News caught up with former patient of the hospital and childhood cancer survivor Cassidy. St. Jude's Research Hospital asked for her last name not to be used.

“It’s an organization that is going to transcend taking care of generations of children," Cassidy said. "Just the fact that I get to stand here today because of people who’ve taken the step to get involved in supporting St. Jude, or donating to St. Jude. I tell people because of the donors, my parents still have their daughter. My brother still has his sister. My grandparents still have their granddaughter, and what a blessing that is. What a blessing you could be to so many families.”

A typical day in high school turned dark when her usual softball drills left her unable to breathe. Cassidy was quickly connected to St. Jude where she was diagnosed with a tumor that took up her entire left lung. Doctors believed she had stage three cancer.

Cassidy was later sent to the Memphis St. Jude campus where medical professionals immediately started figuring out a treatment plan.

“They are so incredibly kind," Cassidy said. "I just remember walking in and feeling like, wow they’re going to take care of us here. Like, it was just so clear that they are there to help you feel as okay as you can. That’s a very stressful situation to be in, so those people there, the nurses the doctors know exactly what to say to help you get through it all.”   

Cassidy can now be found hard at work in Kansas City brightening people's days by selling sweets and treats at a local bakery. You can help support cancer patients like her by buying tickets with this year's St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway. You can learn more about the home and other prizes by clicking here.

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