Meet Jedd
“It is crucial for those who are diagnosed to never give up and to believe you will get through it even if treatment may seem like it is a long process.”
At just 14 years old, Jedd Feliciano was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). “Being diagnosed as a teen, I was shocked and confused how I even ended up with cancer,” he says. “Cancer and COVID stole my high school experience. Due to the need for isolation and multiple hospitalizations, I only had one semester of in-person high school. Because of my diagnosis, I had to be way more aware of my body and my overall health than others my age.”
After discovering that his cancer was resistant to chemotherapy, Jedd and his family put their last hope in a clinical trial led by The St. Baldrick’s Foundation-Stand Up To Cancer Pediatric Cancer Dream Team. He enrolled in the trial at Seattle Children’s Hospital. “I did my best to stay positive even in the darkest times, I did everything in my power to keep myself as healthy as possible and remain hopeful,” Jedd says. As part of the trial, some of Jedd’s blood cells were removed and modified to create CAR-T cells. Once infused back into the body, these cells are able to find and destroy cancer cells more efficiently.
Stand Up To Cancer’s success is measured in the months, years, and lifetimes given back to people with cancer and their families.
Thankfully, the CAR-T therapy worked, and Jedd is now cancer-free. Now in college, Jedd is inspired by the cancer research that saved his life. “If it weren’t for the clinical trial, I would have lost my life to leukemia. Honestly, without the therapy, I don’t think I would even be here. It ultimately saved my life and now I am able to do all of the things I love.” His advice to others facing a diagnosis? “Never give up. Getting better is not something that happens in a day or a week. Stay strong, positive, and hopeful.”
“If it weren’t for the people who had participated in the clinical trials before me, I would have never thought to participate in one myself,” he says. “Never ever give up. Cancer is physically and mentally challenging, but don’t let it shut you down. Believe in yourself and those supporting you through this tough time that you will get through this. No matter how dark the times get, stay positive, strong, and have hope.”
Our Mission
Stand Up To Cancer raises awareness and funds research to detect and treat cancers with the aspiration to cure all patients.
