In memory of Pepis and eternal gratitute to St. Jude

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by Marta

June 2009

My niece Olga Regina (Pepis) was diagnosed in Guatemala with a very aggressive cancer in February 2009 at age 17. She was referred to St. Jude and immediately accepted to be treated. Pepis and her parents arrived in St. Jude, and since the first day they were there, the support, care and information about her treatment were outstanding. The advertisements of St. Jude reflect exactly what my family felt. Nothing was more important than taking care of Pepis and St. Jude provided for every single need they had. Their energy and efforts were all dedicated to save her life.
I spoke with them often and felt a sense of relief when hearing them talk about the doctors, nurses, the treatment, the support of volunteers and also the way other families would connect to support each other. They experienced wonderful moments with activities St. Jude organized for the patients, like “Prom Night”, where they are provided with party dresses donated by people that care, they put on makeup and go to this fancy party where a limo picks them up and takes them to a dance. They give them a sense of normality between the difficult days that they go through.
At the end of May, 2009 I had the blessing of visiting her at St. Jude. I had always been a fan of the hospital and aware of what they provided, but I was blown away of what I saw when I got there. Every hallway is filled with colors on the walls, paintings of volunteers that give their talent to St. Jude. In every corner you have the sense of the presence of God. I know it’s difficult to understand knowing that kids go through a lot of difficult moments there, but you don’t see that, you only see the love that pours out everywhere. Mr. Thomas was the instrument that God used to make this a heaven for kids.
Pepis’ cancer was too aggressive, her doctor spoke with her and us about the outcome and what laid ahead with such care, love, and honesty which helped her accept God’s will with dignity and faith. All the persons that were involved in her treatment, doctors, nurses, translators, social workers, I have no words to thank you. You are all angels in this earth and made this very difficult experience a little bit easier. You gave your all for her and our family without knowing us; you opened your hearts and became a family to all of us.
I will be a friend of St. Jude forever, and will always be a spokesperson for St. Jude and honor my commitment to help and support this home for my niece.
Pepis passed away peacefully in St. Jude on June 15, 2009.