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St. Jude and St. John's Partnership: Good News for Families
By
Natalie Swallow
Story Created:
Jun 12, 2009 at 4:10 PM CDT
Story Updated:
Jun 15, 2009 at 7:55 PM CDT
Five year old Sam Jordan first went to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital when he was three to get treatment for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, or ALL.
"We spent a lot of time away from home during the first year," Sam’s mom, Janet Jordan said.
But now, a partnership between St. Jude and St. John's Hospital means Ozarks families like the Jordans won't have to spend so much time away from home.
"The most complicated care will be done in Memphis, but majority of care will be done at St. John's," director of Domestic Affiliate Program for St. Jude, Cindy Burleson, said.
St. John's has hired the region's first pediatric oncologist/hematologist to staff the new pediatric cancer center.
The Jordans were thrilled to hear the news of the partnership.
"Being at St. Jude, you find a comfort there because you know that's what they do. They treat children for life threatening diseases, and that's all they treat is children, so to know we're going to have a piece of that right here at St. John's is very comforting to me," Janet said.
It’s also a comfort for other patients and their families who look to St. Jude for a miracle.
For Sam, that miracle is in just another year, doctors will consider him cancer free.
Just like at the hospital in Memphis, St. Jude patients receiving care at St. John's will get it at no cost.
St. Jude sees six to fourteen new patients from the Springfield area each year.
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