Be Inspired by Julia - Cancer Fighter!

Allow yourself to be inspired by Julia. Who's Julia? Well, she's a little 8 year old super-girl that has been fighting cancer (rhabdomyosarcoma) since the tender age of 5.

Julia's battle with cancer begins when a tumor around her nasal cavity appears in the summer of 2010. At that time, surgery is not a viable option as it is growing behind Julia's left eye, threatening her sight. Chemotherapy and radiation are the only possible treatments. So after a grueling 43 weeks of chemotherapy and 28 days of radiation, there are some successes to report. Although the tumor causes Julia to be blind in the left eye, the treatment preserves the vision in the right. And even though it doesn't completely eliminate the tumor, it does shrink it to 5% of its original size, leaving her condition officially listed as "˜in remission'.

Then, in December of 2011, a maintenance MRI reveals that the cancer is back.

Supported by family and friends, Julia continues the fight "“ commencing stronger, more strenuous chemotherapy treatments than the previous go-round. She amazes and astounds the medical team and her family with her resilience to the rigors of the treatments. She's kickin' butt and takin' names! But Julia needs the other sword to battle with:that sword is surgery.

On May 9, 2012, Julia's care is placed in the hands of an amazing team of doctors who attempt to surgically extract all that they can of this now invasive tumor. The surgery itself is a big success. The doctors remove all but a 3-4 mm portion that is dangerously attached to the carotid artery. So after 20 more weeks of chemotherapy and 24 days of radiation, Julia's treatment plan is complete! Now there's only watching and waiting with hopeful anticipation as maintenance MRI's are performed.

But the MRI's in September only provide more worry. There's an inconclusive bright spot showing in the site of the tumor that will need to wait for the next monthly MRI.

Julia waits. Her family and friends wait. Everyone prays.

But devastating news is all that comes. Julia's tumor is re-growing slightly in the original tumor site and a new, larger tumor now appears on the right side of her nasal passage. It is a very aggressive tumor and the doctors are saying it is a matter of time. Julia will now start a "˜maintenance chemo' to lengthen her time with her family but the doctors feel that nothing short of a miracle will stop this tumor.

Everyone: We may not be able to give Julia the miracle she needs. But we CAN do something.

We can support this family as they journey in faith, hope and love towards this battle of all battles. We can do all we can to ensure that Julia's parents and family don't have to worry about stressors like going to work or paying the bills.

So what can YOU do?

Be inspired to GIVE.

Give your love.

Give your support.

Give your prayers for that miracle.

And give what you can financially so that this family can remain together during this precious time with Julia:
Their super-girl.