Two-time cancer survivor accepts golf scholarship, pursuing medical career inspired by treatment at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

More than 100 of the world's best professional golfers are expected at the FedEx St. Jude Championship in Memphis this August. Among those following the action on the course will be first-year college student Cross, a St. Jude cancer survivor who developed a love for golf during his treatment at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital^®.

He will be attending Rockhurst University in Kansas City, Missouri, this fall on a golf scholarship. Cross's love for golf is on par with his passion of one day becoming an orthopedic surgeon helping children undergoing cancer treatment.

"Because of my diagnoses, I know what they're feeling," said Cross. "I know it's a scary time for them. And it's going to feel amazing when I help them."

When Cross was almost two years old in 2005, his parents were told something no family wants to hear: "Your child has cancer." He endured multiple rounds of chemotherapy, surgery, radiation therapy, a bone marrow transplant and two bouts with cancer spanning 15 years. To rebuild his strength, he began hitting hundreds of golf balls a day as a patient. Cross was so determined to get back to sports that he asked his doctors what the record was for a patient to get out of the hospital after a bone marrow transplant. It was 14 days, they said. Cross left in 13 days. The game came naturally to him and his talent coupled with his dedication to practice resulted in wins in local and regional golf tournaments.

"As we welcome the world's top golfers to Memphis for the FedEx St. Jude Championship, Cross and our supporters, who fuel the six-year $12.9 billion St. Jude strategic plan that will help more of the children around the world with cancer every year, help us remember the greater purpose for this incredible charitable event," said Richard C. Shadyac Jr., president and CEO of ALSAC, the fundraising and awareness organization for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Because of fundraising events like the FedEx St. Jude Championship and the generosity of millions of donors, families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food so they can focus on helping their child live.

For more information, visit stjude.org.

About St. Jude Children's Research Hospital^®

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is leading the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. Its purpose is clear: Finding cures. Saving children.^® It is the only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center devoted solely to children. Treatments invented at St. Jude have helped push the overall childhood cancer survival rate from 20% to more than 80% since the hospital opened in 1962. St. Jude won't stop until no child dies from cancer. St. Jude shares the breakthroughs it makes, and every child saved at St. Jude means doctors and scientists worldwide can use that knowledge to save thousands more children. Because of generous donors, families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food, so they can focus on helping their child live. Visit St. Jude Inspire to discover powerful St. Jude stories of hope, strength, love and kindness. Join the St. Jude mission by visiting stjude.org, liking St. Jude on Facebook, following St. Jude on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok, and subscribing to its YouTube channel.