Pin Up a Pumpkin

I.O. METRO is a PROUD supporter of the 19th Annual St. Jude Halloween Promotion. During the month of October, when you shop at I.O. METRO, you can donate $1 or more to the hospital. Join us in the fight against catastrophic childhood diseases. Every dollar makes a difference!


Your gift will support the kids of St. Jude and help the hospital continue its lifesaving mission of finding cures and saving children. Below are three of the children you're helping when you donate at I.O. METRO or online...

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Jakayla

Age: 3 years old

Diagnosis: Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

• "When 2-year-old Jakayla became a patient at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, she was no stranger to the place. She'd been going to St. Jude since she was a baby, while her older brother Javon received treatment for leukemia.
• As Javon neared the end of his treatment, however, Jakayla became sick herself. She had the symptoms of a cold, and then stopped eating. Their mom, Lisa, took Jakayla to the doctor, who did blood work. The results of the test were troubling, and the doctor quickly referred the family to St. Jude.
• At St. Jude, they received the news that Jakayla suffered from the same disease her brother had—acute lymphoblastic leukemia, the most common form of childhood cancer.
• Faced with the possibility that not one, but two of her children were suffering from cancer, Lisa was devastated. "I thought I was in a dream, and I'd wake up," she said. But she trusted the medical experts at St. Jude. Jakayla began receiving intense chemotherapy right away.
• Today, Jakayla's cancer is in remission. She is an active little girl who loves singing, dancing and playing with her big brother."

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Quincy

Age: 8 years old

Diagnosis: Neuroblastoma

• "When 3-year-old Quincy began running a fever, his parents thought it was just a cold. When he also became sick to his stomach, they assumed he felt stress from the death of a close family member.
• Doctors performed an X-ray of Quincy’s stomach to determine if there was blockage. The radiologist noticed a spot on the boy's lung and ordered a CT scan. The results were devastating. Quincy suffered from neuroblastoma, a common solid tumor of childhood. The family was referred to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
• After arriving at St. Jude in June 2005, the family felt a sense of peace.“I thought it would be very sad with kids who were sick and miserable,” said Leigh Ann, Quincy's mom, “but everybody we saw was very happy and upbeat. The kids were smiling and laughing and riding tricycles all over the place.”
• At St. Jude, Quincy underwent high-dose chemotherapy, surgery to remove the original tumor, a progenitor cell transplant, radiation and oral chemotherapy. Quincy has since experienced tumor re-growth, and he’s still receiving treatment. Leigh Ann is grateful that St. Jude has provided Quincy with the very best care with no compromises.
• Quincy is a loving boy who likes Spider-Man®, drawing and painting, and trains."
  

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Alejandro

Age: 3 years

Diagnosis: Medulloblastoma

• "Alejandro was on Christmas vacation with his family when he began suffering from nausea. His mother, Ines, had a feeling it was something serious, so she took him to a local hospital. Doctors there suspected he was fighting a bout of sinusitis, but Ines insisted on further testing. Her fears were confirmed: Alejandro was seriously ill. Alejandro was diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumor called medulloblastoma. He required immediate surgery. But the battle wasn't over. His doctor referred the family to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital for Alejandro's ongoing care.
• At St. Jude, Alejandro received radiation and chemotherapy. As the end date of his treatment approached, his family prepared themselves for a joyous homecoming. Unfortunately, scans revealed that Alejandro's cancer had come back. St. Jude quickly started Alejandro on a new protocol, and he's currently receiving chemotherapy.
• Alejandro's family loves St. Jude. They are so grateful for the donors who contribute to the hospital. "The last thing you want to worry about is medical bills during such difficult times," said Ines.
• Alejandro is a happy child who loves singing and playing with his older sister."
  

(Photo + Quote Source: St. Jude- HALLOWEEN PIN UPS FOR ST. JUDE)