Then one day she stopped using her arm.

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Her family took her to the doctor. Scans showed tumors all over – in her wrists, both arms, pelvis, legs, spine and skull.

“Cancer was never on our radar.” -Nicole, Natalie’s mom

Watch Natalia's Story

She was referred to St. Jude, 700 miles from their home in Virginia.

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St. Jude is a donor-funded research hospital where families never receive a bill for treatment, travel, housing or food.

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Researchers at St. Jude are leading the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases.

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Natalie was diagnosed with neuroblastoma. It’s a type of cancer that starts in immature nerve cells, and it almost always affects kids.

More on neuroblastoma

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Natalie's ongoing treatment has included chemotherapy, antibody therapy, surgery, two stem cell transplants using her own cells and radiation therapy.

She’s grown into an active toddler. And she’s not shy about using her arm again.

“We thought we were losing our daughter, and then when we came to St. Jude, everything changed. At St. Jude, there was hope.” – Nicole, Natalie's mom

You can help us treat more kids like Natalie by becoming a donor. Become a Partner in Hope