At the age of 7, Gabby was diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma, a rare cancer affecting bones and soft tissue. She arrived at St. Jude unable to walk due to the tumor’s pressure on her spinal cord.
Through perseverance and determination, she reclaimed movement in her legs. Gabby had achieved her goal — she was able to walk again.
Years after beating her cancer, she was faced with two subsequent diagnosis of two different cancers. She returned to St. Jude to be treated by the hospital she loved. Throughout it all, Gabby continued to seize every opportunity. “What motivates me is to see that my life has a greater purpose,” she explained.
Growing up in hospitals profoundly shaped her view of the world and science. “As a child, I was very curious about medicine and research, so I fell in love with science,” she said. Years later, she graduated from college with a degree in biochemistry.
As a professional, she returned to St. Jude as a researcher for several years.
“Returning to St. Jude and working with people I admired since childhood was a dream come true. It felt like working with family.”
She was also inspired by the fact that St. Jude shares its scientific discoveries with the world.
In her various roles, Gabby embraces her greatest purpose: “I want to use the time I have in this world to leave it better than I found it.”
Every St. Jude patient deserves a chance to live their best life and celebrate every moment. Your support helps St. Jude give kids with cancer that chance.
