For this family, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital ‘is a very special place.’

As Viet spoke about the start of his son’s ongoing health journey, his wife’s gaze moved from his face to a place far off in the distance.

Quynh Anh quietly relived the days in 2016 when their 6-year-old son, Vietnam, was sick and doctors didn’t have answers.   

After a CT scan revealed a tumor in the pituitary area, Vietnam was diagnosed with craniopharyngioma, a rare benign brain tumor.

It is impossible to revisit those days without tears.

But everything changed when Vietnam was referred to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. St. Jude was founded in 1962 by actor and philanthropist Danny Thomas, the son of immigrant Lebanese parents, to treat children with cancer and other life-threatening diseases regardless of their race, ethnicity, beliefs or ability to pay.

“He was just 6 years old, in first grade when he was diagnosed. It was so scary. We thought that we’d lost him,” Viet said.

Vietnam was their baby, the youngest of five children and the only boy. They were grateful he was going to St. Jude.

“We were so happy,” Viet said. “I saw everything St. Jude did for children that have brain tumors.”

And that’s when he learned that St. Jude would not send them a bill.

Families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food. Unlike other hospitals, the majority of the funding at St. Jude comes from generous donors.

“It was amazing when we came to St. Jude,” Viet said. “It really surprised us. It’s a very special place. Every person in the hospital is very nice. And they have a love for my son, for my family.”

Initially, Vietnam was at St. Jude for three months. His treatment included surgery and radiation. He had some memory challenges and couldn’t use the electronic devices he played with before.

Vietnam doesn’t remember a lot from when he was 6.

“My family tells me stories and it’s like ‘that happened?’” he said.

But a 2022 check at St. Jude showed the formation of a new cyst, which had grown by his 2023 scan.

He had surgeries in March and April and spent a few weeks in the hospital.