Annalise Arnaud was barely 18 months old when she was diagnosed with cancer.
“Annalise was diagnosed with a hepatoblastoma tumor on her liver,” Tara, Annalise’s mom, explained. “It is a solid tumor and is the size of a coke can, spread to both of her lungs, and was not operable. We had to depend on chemo alone to get rid of those tumors or she would have had no chance.”
Thanks to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Annalise got that chance and is now seven years old.
But she is quick to tell you that she’ll be turning eight in July. There is no doubt that Annalise is living her best life.
She is even cooking pancakes with one of her best friends. Annalise met Bryan McLain at a St. Jude telethon and the two have turned that meeting into a lifelong friendship.
“She said, Mom, this is the first time that I get to cook with uncle–I mean Mr. Bryan,” Tara said. “If that doesn’t say anything for you…her heart takes him for her uncle. We love these people more than I can put into words.”
Bryan and Sylvia McLain have been part of the St. Jude family for seven years.
They volunteer their time to build the St. Jude Dream Home and give us something new to look forward to each year.
“They truly have a special place in our heart,” Tara said. “We can’t thank them enough for what they’ve done for our community and our hospital.”
While the homes get bigger and better every year– the message behind it stays the same, “that no child should die in the dawn of life.”
You can get your $100 St. Jude Dream Home ticket during the extended open house hours or www.katc.com/dreamhome.
Extended Open House Hours
Wednesday, June 19th – Saturday, June 22nd from 9am to 7pm.
The home will be given away on Sunday, June 23rd right here on KATC.
The Dream Home is located at 101 Royal Palms Drive in Broussard. The home is valued over $650,000, about 3,348 square feet, with four bedrooms, and four and half bathrooms.
It comes with an executive kitchen with chef’s appliance package, coffee station and bar.
The home also comes with a pool, outdoor kitchen, and air conditioned garage.
