At Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School, where the buzz of high school life fills the halls, one sophomore walks with a quiet strength and a story that echoes louder than the teenage crowds. According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), approximately
40% of all Americans will be diagnosed with cancer at some point in their lives. Though cancer is significantly less common in children, Jada Fields, who goes by Jay, is one of the few who developed cancer as a kid. On July 6, 2016, Jay was diagnosed with
leukemia. The disease would change her life for the worse and, surprisingly, for the better too.
Since she was only a child, Jay did not fully understand what was going on in her body, but she exhibited symptoms that led her family to worry. Jay was an energetic child who was full of life and curiosity, but over time, she became more tired and ill. After noticing the easy bruising, extensive fevers, and constant night sweats that soaked through her pajamas, Jay’s mother, Ktiera, made the executive decision to go to the hospital. Jay would soon find out that the strange symptoms she had been experiencing would spiral into a terrifying reality.
At the hospital, the doctors determined that Jay had cancer, which was terrifying not only to Jay but also to her entire family. “I didn’t even know what cancer was,” Jay reflected. “All I knew was that I was sick, and everything started moving fast.” At eight years old, Jay couldn’t grasp what cancer meant, but she could certainly fight.
Through months of chemotherapy, countless operations, and repeated hospital stays, Jay faced challenges that most adults would struggle to endure. She was just a little girl, yet she had to endure the brutality of chemotherapy — a grueling treatment process that takes a toll on the body and mind. The procedures were invasive. Her immune system weakened. She spent long days in the hospital, away from friends, school, and the normal joys of childhood. Her tiny frame housed an unbreakable will as she prevailed and beat the cancer.
Just when Jay and her family thought the storm had passed, a second one rolled in: the cancer had returned – but this time, Jay was given just two months to live. After Jay pushed through more treatment, it was evident that her most intense procedure, a bone marrow transplant, was her lifeline. “That was the scariest part,” Jay said. “But it was also the thing that gave me a chance to live.”
Her family, especially her mom, became her rock. There were days filled with tears, moments of doubt, and pain that felt unbearable. But through it all, Jay continued to fight. She missed birthday parties, school dances, and everyday moments that most kids tend to take for granted. In return, she gained something few people her age developed: unshakeable courage.
Now 16, Jay is a sophomore who carries her story not as a burden but as a badge of honor. She’s back in school, keeping up with her classes, laughing with her siblings and friends, and looking forward to a future she fought hard for. But the experience left more than scars. It gave her a voice and a mission. Jay speaks about her journey to raise awareness for childhood cancer. She hopes to become a mentor to younger kids facing similar battles. Her story, marked by pain and perseverance, has become a source of inspiration not only in her community but also far beyond. Jay advised, “People should always ask for help; if you have questions, then ask.”
She says, “Lean on family and friends, and if you don’t have their support, lean on God. Never give
up!” July 6 will always be more than just a date on the calendar for Jay; it’s a turning point in her life. It marks the start of endless
days hooked to IVs, nights spent in hospital beds, and moments filled with fear. But it also signifies Jay’s resilience and strength,
which attests to the fact that cancer picked the wrong kid. Finally, July 6 is Jay’s reminder that she beat cancer — twice.
