Despite Her Cancer Battle, St. Jude Patient Lizzy Loved Her Life

In 2018, 10-year-old Lizzy Wampler and her parents sat down at a table with doctors at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and discussed something no parent wants to have to even think about: the quality of their daughter's life in her last months. But for the Wamplers, this was a harsh reality. As they talked, Lizzy looked up at her mom and asked what they meant by 'quality of life.' Her mom explained that although they didn't know how many months, weeks or even days she had left, they wanted her to have the best life possible. Lizzy looked up and said four words that spoke volumes.

"I love my life," Lizzy said.

Four words. "I love my life." These four words came from a 10-year-old who had been battling osteosarcoma, a cancer in the bones. Despite the pain and battles she had been through, Lizzy loved her life.

That's the beauty of St. Jude. Even though she was undergoing treatments and fighting a disease no one, especially a child, should have to fight, Lizzy was able to find the light in her life and love it regardless. She had friends, a community, and a ukelele.

Lizzy's parents spoke at the 2020 Country Cares Seminar in Memphis. Their flight was cancelled and they drove six hours to make the trip because it was important that they shared Lizzy's story.

Her mom spoke about how Lizzy's devotion to St. Jude. Lizzy was in a number of commercials for the hospital, and her mom recalls one time in particular, where Lizzy visibly fought through pain to film a commercial because she knew its importance in raising money and awareness for the hospital she loved. Soon before Lizzy passed, she begged to donate her entire body to St. Jude's research in hopes that it would help other kids in her position years down the road.

In the end, St. Jude was able to use her tumors, which according to Lizzy's mom, are now being used for research in multiple countries across the world, thanks to the hospital's sharing mindset when it comes to cancer research.

Lizzy's parents have now held two annual runs in her name and have developed the Lizzy's Walk of Faith Foundation.

You can help now by becoming a Partner in Hope with St. Jude for just $20 each month, because in the words of Danny Thomas, "no child should die in the dawn of life." Call 1-800-995-5257 or donate online through St. Jude.