By St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
Rich and Kathy Hagen of the Charlotte area can relate to the admirable hard work of those who train, log miles and compete in races – including events like the St. Jude Memphis Marathon Weekend, the marquee event for the St. Jude Heroes program.
St. Jude Heroes are a special group of participants who, regardless of their endurance levels, run with giving hearts and raise money to support St. Jude.
The Hagens’ 13-year-old son, John, is their hero; he is winning the fight for his life against cancer.
In March 2011, John’s parents cheered from the sidelines as he guarded the goal and watched as an opposing player kicked the ball toward him. John dove to the side, catching the ball and tumbling to the ground. His teammates erupted in cheers at the sight of John stopping the other team from scoring. John would have bruises after the game, no doubt, a common side effect of tending goal.
So later that month it wasn’t the bruises dotting John’s arms and legs that tipped off his parents that something was wrong. It was the petechia – little red dots – that appeared on John’s legs and torso one weekend.
“The bruises we attributed to soccer,” Kathy said. “But the petechia was a red flag.” That Sunday Kathy called the family’s pediatrician, who met them at the office to draw blood for tests. Then she sent John’s family to a local children’s hospital, where further tests revealed John suffered from acute lymphoblastic leukemia, the most common form of childhood cancer.
Rich and Kathy were familiar with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital® and knew that’s where they wanted John to be treated. Treatments invented at St. Jude have helped push the overall childhood cancer survival rate from 20 percent to 80 percent since it opened more than 50 years ago. “St. Jude got John to remission,” Rich says. “I believe he’s going to be cured forever and I know he will go on to live a long and healthy life.”
John started a three-year treatment plan at St. Jude, including chemotherapy. He is in remission and approaching the end of treatment this December, thanks to the dedicated care provided by St. Jude doctors, researchers and staff. When his parents first arrived at the hospital, they had no idea they would never receive a bill from St. Jude for anything. “It’s amazing. The treatment for leukemia is a long road and very expensive,” Kathy said. “It was such a huge relief to know we don’t have a financial burden and can focus on getting him healthy again.”
The journey to remission has been difficult for John, but he has kept a positive attitude. He is able to receive much of his treatment at home and visits St. Jude regularly for appointments and procedures.
Due to the side effects of treatment, John cannot play soccer, so he has taken up golf. He has big plans for when he grows up, too. John would like to be an architect or an oncologist, specializing in leukemia.
“We get our strength from John,” Kathy said. “He has an unstoppable determination. He’s a warrior. And a survivor.”
Likewise, St. Jude Heroes are inspired by John’s determination and help by generating awareness and raising critical funds that support the lifesaving mission of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. To sign up as a St. Jude Hero in the St. Jude Memphis Marathon Weekend, visit stjudemarathon.org. There’s a race for everyone, including a marathon, half marathon, 5k, family fun run and kids’ marathon.
