Jude – A Hero With a Boundless Imagination

From the very beginning, it was clear that Jude was no ordinary child. He was blessed with an imagination that could turn even the simplest of toys into a world of adventures. 

 His favorite companions were his superhero action figures and his collection of Star Wars characters. To Jude, they weren’t just pieces of plastic—they were allies, warriors, and friends in battles that only he could see.

Jude adored movies and could sit for hours watching them, absorbing every detail, memorizing lines, and asking endless questions about how they were made. He dreamed aloud of one day creating his own films, filled with characters as brave and magical as the ones he admired.

 Star Wars was his ultimate favorite—he had already seen all nine movies, each one more than once. He would swing around toy lightsabers, quoting his favorite Jedi, and reminding his family that even the smallest person could change the galaxy.

But his heart also belonged to Pixar. Among those films, Toy Story stood out most, and Buzz Lightyear’s motto—“To infinity and beyond!”—seemed to echo Jude’s own spirit.

More than just a dreamer, Jude was a devoted brother. He cared deeply for his sister, Mabel, and his younger brother, Bowie.

The three of them played together endlessly—racing in the yard, building forts, and inventing games that only siblings could understand. Jude, despite being so young, had a natural way of protecting and including them.

His laughter, his energy, and his kindness made him the kind of brother everyone wished they had.

Life for Jude was filled with color, wonder, and joy. But in 2019, when Jude was just nine months old, his family’s world changed forever.

A Shocking Discovery

At what seemed like a routine pediatric check-up, Jude’s doctor noticed something unusual: a strange reflection in his left eye. Concerned, the pediatrician referred the family to a pediatric ophthalmologist for further evaluation.

The appointment brought news that no parent is ever prepared to hear. After a closer examination, the specialist discovered a small tumor on Jude’s retina. The diagnosis was retinoblastoma—a rare form of eye cancer in children.

Although the doctors assured the family that the cancer had been caught early, those words did little to soften the blow. The word “cancer” brought fear, confusion, and heartbreak. For Jude’s parents, Sam and his wife, the idea that their baby would face such a terrifying illness was almost too much to bear.

Yet even as they struggled with the weight of this new reality, Jude himself remained as bright and cheerful as ever. At only nine months old, he didn’t understand what was happening. But what he did know was love, and that love surrounded him every step of the way.

The Long Road of Treatment

Jude’s fight began with two rounds of intravenous chemotherapy at Duke Children’s Hospital. The goal was to shrink the tumor, but because he was still such a tiny baby, the treatment left behind scar tissue in the artery behind his eye. That damage meant chemotherapy could not continue.

It was a heartbreaking setback, but his doctors were determined to find another way forward. Over the next two years, Jude underwent multiple laser treatments. These sessions were difficult, but they kept the tumor from growing larger. Still, the tumor didn’t shrink significantly, leaving the family caught between hope and fear.

Through it all, Jude faced each hospital visit with bravery that seemed far beyond his years. He endured anesthesia, long hours in recovery rooms, and the constant disruption of normal childhood routines. And yet, his smile rarely faded. His imagination and positivity carried him through, allowing him to return home from treatments ready to play with his toys, laugh with his siblings, and find joy in the smallest things.

The Turning Point

In the summer of 2022, Jude’s medical team at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital recommended a new treatment option: plaque radiation. This procedure required Jude to stay in the hospital for four days while a small radioactive plaque was placed near the tumor to deliver focused radiation.

The family was hopeful. The doctors were optimistic. And when the treatment ended, it seemed to have worked. The tumor appeared to have shrunk, and for the first time in a long while, Jude’s family felt like they could breathe again.

But their relief was short-lived. In December 2022, an MRI revealed devastating news: not only had the tumor returned, but it also appeared to have spread beyond the wall of the eye. The situation had become urgent.

The doctors agreed there was only one option left to protect Jude’s life: remove his eye.

A Life-Changing Surgery

On December 27, 2022, Jude underwent surgery to remove his left eye at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. It was an emotional day for his family. The thought of their little boy losing an eye was heartbreaking, but the greater fear—that the cancer could take his life—made the decision clear.

The surgery was successful. A few weeks later, the results came back. The cancer had not spread beyond the eye. Removing the eye had also removed the cancer. For the first time in three years, Jude was cancer-free.

The following February, Jude received a prosthetic eye. It was crafted with such precision that it looked almost identical to his real one. When Jude looked in the mirror, he grinned. He was still Jude—the same boy with the same dreams, laughter, and heart.

A Family’s Pride

Jude’s father, Sam, often reflects on his son’s extraordinary resilience.
“In the first four years of his life, all Jude knew was hospital visits, doctors, sleep medicine, and worry over his tumor,” Sam said. “He always kept a brave face and positive attitude. Even when he had to have his eye removed and knew there was no turning back, he stayed optimistic and hopeful. When it seemed like his whole life he’d faced an uphill battle and didn’t get to live a ‘normal’ life like his friends, there was still a smile on Jude’s face. His strength through this journey has always been so inspiring to us.”

Sam’s pride in his son extends beyond their family. He now serves on the advisory council for Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF), an organization dedicated to fighting childhood cancer. For Sam, being part of ALSF is a way to channel the family’s journey into hope for others.

Siblings and Support

Jude’s courage has also inspired his siblings. His sister Mabel, just seven years old, expressed her admiration simply but powerfully: “Jude was really brave and I’m proud of him. I want to host a lemonade stand to help and to give money to fight cancer.”

Her words touched her parents deeply, a reminder that even young children can understand the importance of giving back and helping others.

In June 2024, Jude and his family acted as ALSF Ambassadors during Lemonade Days at Firebirds. They had a blast sharing their story, raising awareness, and supporting the cause. It was a celebration not just of survival, but of resilience, hope, and community.

A Hero’s Legacy

Today, Jude is still the same imaginative child he has always been. He continues to play with his superhero figures, relive his favorite Star Wars moments, and dream about becoming a filmmaker. But his story has also given him a new kind of heroism—one rooted in real-life courage.

When asked what advice he would give to other children facing cancer, Jude’s words are simple yet profound:

“Stay brave and don’t get scared, don’t lose hope.”

That is the message of a child who has walked through fear, endured pain, and come out smiling on the other side. Jude may be small, but his courage is immeasurable. He is living proof that even in the darkest battles, light can shine through—and sometimes, it shines brightest in the heart of a child.