News

Actions

Yorktown family teams up with St. Jude to save little boy diagnosed with brain tumor

Posted at 7:58 PM, Mar 26, 2013
and last updated 2013-03-26 19:58:16-04

Yorktown, Va. - A Yorktown family learned firsthand how St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital helps to save the lives of children with cancer!

Two years ago, the Holmes family learned their little boy was about to embark on the fight of his life.

They teamed up with St. Jude, and the outcome brought them tears of joy!

"In the beginning, it was tough. You have to watch where he goes and his immune system is low,” says Doug Holmes, Brayden’s father.

In fact, the last two years, in a word, were uncertain for Brayden and his family. At the age of 2 and a half, he was diagnosed with a highly aggressive brain tumor.

The doctors at St. Jude launched an equally aggressive plan to fight it.

"He doesn't know a whole lot. He's been a trooper going through the medicines,  going through the treatment,” says Doug.

Brayden spent six months at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis to wage war against the cancer.

The hospital had a plan for Brayden and his entire family.

“Everything they do for the family, they pay for housing, they pay for food they pay for his flight out there,” says Janet Holmes, Brayden’s mother.

"They just make you feel at peace. They make it easy for you,” says Janet.

Every visit after that they hoped to hear the words that would give them hope.  That day came nine months ago.

"It was so exciting, it was almost as much of a shock as it was that he had cancer, you still can't believe it,” says Janet. "To get the news that he was cancer free was just so exciting that he could go back to kind of a normal childhood.”

Brayden's most recent visit to St. Jude confirmed he is still free of the cancer that nearly consumed him.

Related:

St. Jude Dream Home tickets now on sale

St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway: Purchase your ticket

St. Jude Dream Home now open for tours

St. Jude employees write messages of hope in dream home