Meet the patients

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Tyron, the youngest of five children, is an energetic, happy little boy. But shortly before his third birthday, his mother, Teairra, noticed a lump on the left side of his neck. Doctors believed Tyron had a swollen lymph node and prescribed antibiotics. But when the medicine had run its course, the lump was still there. Teairra took her son back to the hospital, where a scan revealed a tumor. Tyron was immediately referred to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

At St. Jude, doctors made a diagnosis of Burkitt lymphoma, a cancer of the lymphatic system. Tyron underwent three months of chemotherapy and the disease is now in remission. When Tyron's family came to St. Jude, they did not have insurance. "But it didn't matter," Teairra said. "St. Jude took care of everything. They're good caring people at St. Jude. Our family has gotten a lot of support from the people here."

Treatment rarely slowed Tyron down. He loves to play with his siblings and watch Gospel music DVDs, to which he sings and dances along. He returns to the hospital for monthly checkups, and his family is grateful for the treatment and care Tyron received at St. Jude. "We thank God we found out when we did," said Teairra. "I'm so thankful and grateful for St. Jude."