Show Some Dreams Come True and he’d ay and cany pn Those first three years were die worst” In October 1996 Bedi saw a news article about a radical experimental treatment for osteogenesis im- L VJ perfecta being pwneered at St Jude Children's Research transHospital in Memphis involving Stem cells bone be in the would marrow plantation capable of making new bone and connective tissue “I read the article and knew this was it!” she exclaims “It was brand-ne- w Only one child had had iL I prayed to God and called St Jude” Cody was put bone-marro- w came pregnant The father was a on a waiting list After seven months a matching donor was found an unrelated woman in Florida who agreed to help “We left for Memphis on Mother’s Day May 997” Beth adds “St Jude paid for everything Cody was almost 3 1 carried him into the hospital on a pink pillow Hire an egg crate That's how we carried him everybone-mamo- schoolmate “I was sure he was going to marry me” she says “But when 1 tried to tell him he walked off” Monica dropped out of school and had her baby whom she named Joseph A year later she left home with the child and found restaurant work “Off and on we were homeless” she acknowledges “I didn't have any more dreams about success” When she was 18 Monica fell in love with a bagboy in a grocery star “I thought he was w 1 where then because he was so fragile and in such pain But I knew my miracle was behind those doors 1 could feel it the moment I set foot on the property” On June 20 1997 Cody Bigos became only the w fourth person to receive a transplant for my Prince Charming” she says They had a baby girl Amber “When I held her for the first time I felt I already knew her She was a perfect healthy baby” A year later Amber’s father was gone Monica now with two kids was on her own again She worked hard to provide for her children She decided to study for a career as a graphic artist arid Monica Crick with har daughter Amber 8 who spent a year at St Jude being treated far brain and spinal tumors bone-marro- osteogenesis imperfecta Although he needed another transplant when new bone growth slowed and he’s waiting for a third scientists at St Jude are e the process hoping to enhance working to its effectiveness as a permanent cure up! It was glorious! It was the best day of my life" Seven months later Beth and Bill Bigos took their little boy home from Memphis “The change in Cody was unbelievable” his father says “Now I can pick up my son and squeeze him and we can play together He's brought a great dimension to our lives and I'm so grateful I know he's got a tough life ahead of him but he's very nimble and bright He's the happiest kid you’re likely to meet” fine-tun- “Before the transplant Cody was breaking bones about three times a month’’ Beth explains “After the difference was immediate Right away he started breathing easier He started talking Then one day he just sat took classes at Albuquerque’s Art Center Design College She was optimistic eager to learn new skills that would lead to a better life “I was excited about' maybe having my own designing business” she says continued St Judafaundar wnwi m i onnif wh iwMjf aiN-mi- n — - — -- a — IwflbtdMaMMfayowiwnwi Mlhig a fswyear Danny Thomas became a successj and true to his worln 1962 ha founded St Judo Rosouttb tkNpltd in MomphiTsnn Today the far ’ : AaraalteiltjUliLma nau uiRN ’cnuoran Lum s vyitete and 0 coua- - triaa around the globe It la for these roaaona Aat St Juda fa faiown aa "dm hoqiltel whhout wals" - Euan after altheSa yean with St Judwlatl marvel at the numbanc An average of 4500 cNkfconareactlve pa-- M fcai S a - - - 1 — l nofcy and happy Ice cream and caka on the table "Whoaa birthday la It?" I ashed tha nurse “Olw it's not a birthday party" dia said "Ifs an S vmQaavaNnaaaranrinfaNB'BKiiiigaaraia and now tha i wymnar inoiwuoniaiwowiuawDinonowaTwar I nw a Kkk kt on: papar hate party going wh gone h Another vowayfa i i pmmvNigRimaav uaawnoreTrecwaop ' ' and I haw tehan ever hit woih at St Jud that onea was Msls out famSy thar made waa to ensure that the research dena at his hoapital would barimdopsn- JL UUCUM1 JmjAmh TO Kr tQfWnll anthti throughout tha — Iwondsred AndwhywsrelhtysafanpartanttoDoddy? Thay ware of course my frnWaothw fawriy As ttoug- bi9 young sntwtakisr ayfiaharf a ralgfeuB maiv bad prayadtaStJbdalhaddauriiapataaarinlefhopalM causa te giro him gukhnoa "Sand mi a dgi that I am a a survival rata far tha dbaase hava raachad 80 And yat even with al our achievement hold work Si -- I mm mnmn ' Since our father's daath in 1991 my brothar sister tana Danny Thomas with apatiantdrca 1970: Hod vowed to bu3d a shrine to the saint of hopalew causes And and profahm wars raariwadL fci so apsdri that phona crib wart uaiboSaitf That la whpn must forgattfioaa nights that jvy Mur would break tha rria to taka a cal from St Juds Hoapi-t- ri And whan ha cma backtab tabhthrtaomitkvtat ' a a a — — oacauaa ion dqj mmqJ ubwo n mi ayo lavvaai — a a— h a Lt 1 fyl coma mans unn i dock Daanunpf unaranaanai bam na a Ittbplilaaroafl Aniywai Agoing homa What " - a —a HAD SO MANY DREAMS" SAYS Monica Crick speaking of her child-hood “I wanted to be successful and have a wonderful husband and children I kept thinking ‘Someday my ' Prince Charming wilLfiiiid me' ” Monica 28 was raised in Albuquerque NM When she was 13 her par-- i ents divorced A year later Monica be- o party" ' At that montent I know that nay father's spirit Ivad in thk place: Here was a roomful of kkfc al of tham M cat-teLmiwk wf MawdLAa lulu uJuk ALgaakw aoraongmaviumpn or anoovor cnooo ooy wno woa at laat healthy enough to and hi chemotherapy manta From ana cMd turn far tha better they aide- nwooi auonguL e K thare'i One thing learned from St Juda It's that hope cn baa madidaw and love can bo a cure you thoaa are two things that al of us are le CM-dron- K 5 fi K a — t-nviBnQf Bocauaa bo o waL aa bul kspt prendre preridsd prendre bod graoni op h o poor fm ho wanted to bo am dot 1 1U1 — vnu wViunniiNnsQiflVtdUBRnnii -- a - mm MAvtonaMlbr41 vremwofaa nuuoc MAsazas A-- jI knot that ubwl- pm so aooa moe —Mario Thomas dudnp our ickiil inmimologb Palar Dobarty whoso work aft St Judo oansod bln tho Nobri Frtop ftn Maddnw Ihbglfkad group continues to addavo historic mad leal brookdiioughaa For orampla whon St aludo first opanad Its doors only 4 of the chBdrpn suffering from acuta lymphoblastic IcufcamiaBvadto aa adult-Oft Luul juoo-io- ngnooUa looay— ananas aaLm utumvosowcn not To be eSgfcle far admladdn to St Judw pedants should bo t S or youngor rofsirod by a physidsn and nowty dfagnosadorsiaportadofhadngadhssssundsrstudy by tho staff lor mote kifanwation on traatmant cal For more on support Us mladon St Juda and how you can vMtwwmifludaorg on tha Web |