In 2011, Erica Huckaby, a vibrant 20-year-old woman, was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Her world was turned upside down, filled with uncertainty and fear. Amidst the darkness, a beacon of hope emerged – St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
For four months, Huckaby and her family found hope and support within the walls of St. Jude. The skilled medical team provided exceptional care, working tirelessly to fight against the disease and make her family feel at ease. Through cutting-edge treatments and compassionate care, Huckaby’s health gradually improved.
She witnessed firsthand the transformative power of St. Jude’s mission: to give hope to sick children. At the time, she was 20-years-old and not the age you would assume would be treated at the facility.
“I still went to a Pediatric doctor. So when he referred me to a pediatric oncologist, with the type of cancer I had, St. Jude’s takes patients up to age 21-years-old. So I was right on the cusp,” she said. “Our experience was a great one and I think that has everything to do with who I received care from.”
In recognition of the care she received, Huckaby joined the St. Jude LIFE program, a lifelong commitment to supporting research and advocacy efforts.
“So basically, every five years, I will go and do extensive studies for them. They are testing everything from the way I walk, what I’m seeing and the way I’m hearing in order to see the long-term effects of my cancer,” Huckaby said.
In one of her visits, they noticed that there was a decrease in her fertility. Doctors attributed that to cancer and the effects of chemotherapy. Huckaby was approached with the option to freeze her eggs.
“Thankfully, I didn’t have to use the eggs. We were able to have two very healthy children on our own, my husband and I,” she said. “But just the fact that they have grants and have opportunities like that, and that they care for their patients long after treatment is over, it’s just insane to me. So because of that, we like to give back as much as we can.”
Inspired by her own experience, Huckaby is determined to give back to the institution that gave her a second chance at life. Her unwavering desire to support St. Jude led her to organize fundraising campaigns.
“We put on events, my mom does scrapbooking events. I work in the Central Community School District. And so every year, for the last 10 years now, we’ve put together a give back night with our football team, because I used to coach the cheerleaders. So that was our philanthropy,” Huckaby added.
The next fundraiser will be a Murder Mystery event on November 1st. Tickets are $100 each and will go on sale August 1st. In 9 years, Huckaby and her family have raised $100.000 for St. Jude. Their goal for 2024 is to raise $25,000.
Every dollar raised will contribute to groundbreaking research, ensuring that children, young and old, continue to receive the best possible care.
Huckaby’s story is a testament to the remarkable work of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. It is a story of hope, resilience, and the unwavering belief in the power of compassion. By sharing her journey, Huckaby hopes to inspire others to join the fight against childhood cancer and support the life-saving work of St. Jude.
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