Future Bright For Remsen Girl Who Won Battle Against Rare Brain Tumor

The future is bright for a Remsen teen who suffered a rare brain tumor when she was only 12 years old thanks to St Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Anna Jones was diagnosed with craniopharyngioma after a fall. "We actually found it by accident," said Anna's mom Christine. "She ran down the stairs and slipped. The next morning she was still dizzy so we took her to the hospital."

After getting the devastating news Anna had cancer in her brain, Christine said she was in disbelief.

"It's crippling. You don't know what the future holds. You look at every day as it could be the last."

St Jude Saves Anna

Christine went home, did some research on craniopharyngioma, and emailed a radiation oncologist at St Jude Children's Research Hospital. "He called me on a Sunday morning from his personal cell phone from home."

Less than 24 hours later Christine and Anna were walking through the doors of St Jude, a place Anna says was unlike any place she'd been before.

"I hate the smell of hospitals. It's not really a hospital. It's just a fun place to go. As soon as I got there everyone was smiling. I knew that was going to be the best place."

Eight Years Later

Eight years later Anna remains cancer-free. She is now living on her own, working two jobs, and dreaming of owning a dog grooming salon one day.

"She started hands-on training with a dog groomer and is very excited for everything the future holds," said Christine.

Yearly Visits

Anna returns to St Jude every year as part of their aftercare treatment program.

"All scans remain stable. No tumor growth, no new tumors, and no change in brain artery health," explained Christine.

While she's there Anna can check out her brick along the Pathway of Hope that leads to the Advanced Research Center.

No Bills

If saving children isn't already enough, saving families from never-ending medical bills is the way of life at St Jude Children's Research Hospital. "They have never asked for anything," says Christine. "Not one penny. Almost seven years out from the beginning of Anna’s treatment, we still have not received one bill."

Christine says she doesn't know what would have happened if she hadn't reached out to St Jude Children's Research Hospital.

"St. Jude is still our saving grace and a donation to St. Jude is a life saved, whether it’s with treatment or the research they share with the world."

Be a Partner in Hope

You can help save kids like Anna by becoming a Partner in Hope during our Country Cares Radiothon, presented by Drain Masters.

Call the Express Employment Hotline at 800-995-5257 or donate online at St Jude.

"Thanks to St. Jude, Anna is living a “normal” life and we couldn’t really ask for more. We are so appreciative of all of you at Big Frog 104 and of every single donor that supports the children of St. Jude for giving Anna the gift of a long and healthy life."

Thank You Gifts

To thank you for supporting St Jude Children's Research Hospital and becoming a Partner in Hope with Care Net of Central New York, you'll have the honor of joining the country community with a 'This Shirt Saves Live ' t-shirt and your choice of tickets to see either the Harlem Globetrotters February 15 or FrogFest. A few Partners in Hope will get tickets to see Old Dominion in Albany, Luke Bryan, or Chris Stapleton in Syracuse.