Maddie Barber was diagnosed with brain cancer at 12 years old.
At 12 years old, Madeline (Maddie) Barber was diagnosed with medulloblastoma, a type of cancerous brain tumor. The Boerne, Texas, native received treatment at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn. To this day, Barber, who is now a high school senior, considers her team of doctors and nurses to be like family.
“When I was in the hospital, they were with me every day, almost all day,” says Barber. “When I go back and visit everyone at St. Jude, they always recognize me.”
Barber has recovered, regaining function lost to temporary partial paralysis on the right side of her body caused by cancer treatments and surgeries, and discovered a new passion: showing pigs. After a friend reached out to gauge her interest, Barber began showing in eighth grade. She joined the Boerne-Champion FFA chapter her freshman year and decided to continue showing pigs through FFA.
While showing has given her numerous opportunities, Barber says she is most grateful for her support system — specifically her FFA advisors Cheyenne Waltman and Tori Thornton.
“Showing pigs has given me very close relationships with my advisors,” says Barber. “One of them is a pig breeder. She helps me a lot and comes to all my shows. I’ve never had this type of relationship before.”
In January 2022, she showed at the Kendall County Junior Livestock Show in Comfort, Texas, where her hogs were auctioned. While most FFA members use the money they earn to contribute to a college fund or to buy more livestock for another show, Barber donated the $30,500 she received to St. Jude.
In her eyes, it was a way to say thank-you to those who played a part in her journey. Barber says insurance declined payment for the experimental plan used to treat medulloblastoma. Because of the funds provided by St. Jude, her family didn’t have to worry about the financial aspect of doctor’s appointments, treatments, food and additional expenses.
“They took care of everything and basically saved my life,” says Barber. “I wouldn’t be here without them, and I just love them.”
As she prepares to enter her senior year of high school and begin another show season, Barber hopes to achieve one of her longtime goals.
“I’d like to win a belt buckle,” says Barber. “That would be awesome.”
