Mikey is a sweet boy from Mexico whose vision was saved at St. Jude.
Miguel, or "Mikey," as his mom calls him, was a reserved little boy when he first arrived at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. But now, with the encouraging way staff members have cared for him, he has blossomed into a trusting, outgoing toddler, stealing hearts at every turn.
When Mikey was a baby, photos showed a glare in his eyes. When he was 5 months old, doctors in Mexico found the cause – he had bilateral retinoblastoma, cancerous tumors in both of his eyes.
His family discovered St. Jude online and obtained a referral. His mom, Liliana, didn't know much about St. Jude before their arrival, but the leap of faith paid off.
In Mexico, the treatment would have been to remove both of Mikey's eyes; at St. Jude, his doctors were able to give his family hope for his vision.
Liliana was worried about how to pay for everything since she would be away from work during Mikey's lengthy treatment. But, to her relief, she learned families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food, because all they should worry about is helping their child live.
St. Jude doctors fought to save both of Mikey's eyes as well as his health, with a combination of chemotherapy, laser treatment and cryotherapy. He also received physical, occupational and speech therapies to help him meet his milestones.
Ultimately, however, it was necessary to remove one of Mikey's eyes to save his life. But vision in his remaining eye, which was also affected by tumors, is now normal.
Soon, he will be able to return home. St. Jude will continue to see Mikey for checkups.
To those who support St. Jude, Liliana says, "I don't know what we would have done without St. Jude and the support of people like you."
Your donation helps give kids like Miguel the chance to grow up.
Meet more patients
Meet Maryelle
Maryelle was diagnosed with a rare disorder that left her family with little hope.
This holiday season, our families are grateful for your support
This holiday season, you help bring hope, peace, comfort and joy to St. Jude families. Thank you for your support.
Meet Maelin-Kate
Maelin-Kate was diagnosed with a rare blood disease at age 5, but her mom says, "Every day, she finds a reason why it's the best day ever."
Meet Carson
When Carson's cancer came back, his family turned to St. Jude once again for treatment for an aggressive form of blood cancer.
Meet Jazzy
Jazzy is a playful person who loves going to the beach with her dogs. When she was diagnosed with brain cancer, her family turned to St. Jude for help.
Meet Julián
Julián is an intelligent, funny boy who likes to play basketball and soccer. His family was referred from Mexico to St. Jude for blood cancer treatment.
Meet Emma
Emma is a 12-year-old girl who enjoys sports and riding four-wheelers with her twin brother. After defeating brain cancer, she can continue doing everything she loves.
Meet Mayela
Mayela is an extrovert who loves to play and have fun. She recently finished treatment for acute myeloid leukemia.
Halloween Traditions for Family Fun
Halloween is a fun time of year for kids, whether they're carving pumpkins, trick-or-treating or telling stories about ghouls and ghosts. See how St. Jude patients celebrate at home and at the hospital.
Sparrow's Story
Sparrow is a quiet, cautious baby who loves to cuddle. Her favorite person is her big brother, Jace.
Meet Belle
Two-year-old Belle and her parents were devastated when they were confronted with a horrifying diagnosis. Today, they're finding peace and hope at St. Jude.
Meet Mimi
Mimi is from the Cayman Islands, and came to St. Jude for treatment. Three years after arriving, her mom was diagnosed as well. They found strength in each other, and in St. Jude.
Meet Elechi
Elechi is a teenager with sickle cell disease who's not letting her disease get in the way of her globetrotting adventures and daily activities.
Meet patient David
David is the kid that everyone knows. He loves school and being with friends, which made time away from them hard as he underwent treatment for a type of soft tissue cancer.