Join Us in Supporting Julie Lindsay's Health Journey

Dear Family and Friends,

This GoFundMe is being created to support our girl, Julie Lindsay. Many are not aware, as Julie has tried to keep things as normal as possible for her children, but Julie has been fighting Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) for the past 7 years.

CML is a type of blood cancer that affects the bone marrow, where white blood cells are produced in excessive numbers. CML is caused by a genetic mutation known as the Philadelphia chromosome, which leads to the production of an abnormal protein called BCR-ABL1. Julie has been fighting CML by taking a daily medication which focuses on trying to kill the cancer cells in her blood and keep the good cells. This leaves her with little to no immunity as it wipes out her good white blood cells as it figures out which cells to target. Julie was very private with whom she shared this information as she wanted to keep life as normal as possible. Julie never wants to admit she cannot do something or ask for help. She has been through many setbacks and continues to push forward with grace, humility, and strength. Daily pain, illnesses, nausea, and countless side effects from the medications, she wears a smile and hides it all. Extreme tiredness, and truly never knowing how she will feel each day, she gets up and works Full-time, gives 150% support and love to her three beautiful children, and rarely misses an opportunity to cheer them on or support their dreams. Julie has also continued to volunteer and give back to every community she has lived in since she was 7 years old. Be it Kiwanis with her father, March of Dimes in college, Alzheimer’s foundation, Junior League of Rockford, Breast Cancer research and walks, Lymphoma and Leukemia foundation and walks (prior to knowing she had Leukemia), school organizations for her kids, numerous cheer organizations, Booster Club at the high school where she served as President as well as many other roles and organizations. Julie is the first to step up when a friend needs something or sees a way to make someone else feel special, appreciated, and loved. Even through her pain and suffering, Julie continues to put on a smile daily and push forward.

Julie was described by a friend she recently met as a woman who has been battling evil within her body and continues to fight with grace and beauty. She goes above and beyond for her kids, the teams they belong to, and for the parents. She wants everyone to feel included, supported, and loved.

Unfortunately, Julie now needs our support and love as she has had numerous ER and hospital stays since the summer, a biopsy of her lymph nodes that are enlarged around her heart, lungs, esophagus, and trachea, and then a lung biopsy of her right lung as well for a spiculated nodule in her upper right lung. The doctors are finding other various things that are in her body, but no direction, solution or answers as if these are different diseases attacking her body, are they tied to the CML, or truly what is happening. Julie’s oxygen levels continue to drop to the upper 80’s and low 90’s. Her heart rate is 110-128 at rest and her body is exhausted. She is currently on oxygen for most of the day and continues to work and attend her children’s activities regardless of the risk to her. She is able to do this thanks to many cheer friends that have been driving her around and holding her hand.

Julie has been referred to University of Chicago Medicine as well as Northwestern downtown to see what they find and can do to help our beautiful friend.

Our purpose for this GoFundMe page is for Julie to be surrounded by the love, support, and grace she has given to so many others and instilled in her children. Given her weekly doctor appointments, specialized blood tests, CT Scans, Pet scans, biopsies, MRI’s and hospital stays, paired with taking care of her three beautiful children and her beloved Lil Miss Comiskey, while still working FT in Human Resources. The financial burden of all these medical bills and medications places a heavy weight on her shoulders. Every dollar from this fundraiser will go directly to Julie and her family to help cover medical bills, living expenses, and offer some relief to help her focus on what is truly important.

Julie has always been one of kindest and most uplifting people we know, making the world a better place through her constant care and contagious humor and positivity through the darkest of times. Now, it’s our turn to return the favor and support her through this incredibly difficult and uncertain time. She is our warrior with wings and cape as her cheer mamas would say.

Julie has always been there for others; let’s come together to support her now. Any donation or share of this fundraiser means the world to us.

Thank you for your kindness and generosity.