The Juliana Garcia Fund
Donation protected
Juliana Garcia, the three-year-old daughter of my college roommate, Cara Conroy Garcia and her husband Jorge was diagnosed with a Wilm's Tumor on November 13th. A healthy, happy, energetic little girl she had no apparent symptoms (this is typical for a Wilm's tumor), Jorge and Cara are also the proud parents of Juliana's big brother, Gavin.
Cara took Juliana to her 3-year well-check on November 11th and their pediatrician felt what he said was an enlarged spleen. The doctor ordered an ultrasound for November 13th which showed Wilms tumor. The doctor's instruction was for Juliana to have a CT scan the following Monday. After much prayer, discernment, grief, and uncertainty, Cara and Jorge decided not to wait until Monday. They instead drove two hours away from their home to the best Children's Hospital in their area: Children's Hospital of Los Angeles, CA. Juliana was immediately admitted to the cancer floor and a follow-up CT scan confirmed: Wilm's tumor.
On November 17th, Juliana had her left kidney and the tumor that was attached to it, removed. Pathology determined her tumor was Stage 1, with favorable histology, meaning it had not spread and the margins were negative. However, due to research and studies on Wilm's tumor, the best chance of non-recurrence of the tumor is surgery plus multiple rounds of chemotherapy. So begins the fight of Juliana's life.
Cara will drive Juliana for treatment from Canyon Lake to L.A. (a two-hour drive, without traffic) every week for the next 10 weeks. After that round of chemo has been completed, Juliana will return to L.A. every 3 weeks for a 9-weeks course. Juliana has already received her first round of chemotherapy. The drive to L.A. and back (if she doesn't need to be hospitalized) and treatment time combined, the Garcias are looking at 12 hour + days for many, many weeks ahead.
Cara, a second-grade teacher has already stopped working so that she can focus on Juliana getting the best care during her treatment and recovery from cancer. She has only a few days left before her time away from her job results in a deducted pay scale. Jorge will continue to work and support his family during this stressful, uncertain time. However, they now carry a heavy burden with all the additional costs, many unknown at this point, including: Juliana's surgery and hospital stays; chemotherapy treatments, medications, new diet, etc...; fuel costs for frequent travel to and from L.A.; sitter and care for Gavin; and more.
In this great season of giving, I ask that you find it in your hearts to give--a little or a lot--in support of Juliana Garcia. Please do all that you can to help this beautiful family who are doing all they can to save their precious daughter from cancer. At the very least, please pray for a total healing of Juilana, and for Jorge, Cara, Gavin and their family to get through this difficult, trying time together.
Thank you, friends and family! Your love and support are much appreciated.
Cara took Juliana to her 3-year well-check on November 11th and their pediatrician felt what he said was an enlarged spleen. The doctor ordered an ultrasound for November 13th which showed Wilms tumor. The doctor's instruction was for Juliana to have a CT scan the following Monday. After much prayer, discernment, grief, and uncertainty, Cara and Jorge decided not to wait until Monday. They instead drove two hours away from their home to the best Children's Hospital in their area: Children's Hospital of Los Angeles, CA. Juliana was immediately admitted to the cancer floor and a follow-up CT scan confirmed: Wilm's tumor.
On November 17th, Juliana had her left kidney and the tumor that was attached to it, removed. Pathology determined her tumor was Stage 1, with favorable histology, meaning it had not spread and the margins were negative. However, due to research and studies on Wilm's tumor, the best chance of non-recurrence of the tumor is surgery plus multiple rounds of chemotherapy. So begins the fight of Juliana's life.
Cara will drive Juliana for treatment from Canyon Lake to L.A. (a two-hour drive, without traffic) every week for the next 10 weeks. After that round of chemo has been completed, Juliana will return to L.A. every 3 weeks for a 9-weeks course. Juliana has already received her first round of chemotherapy. The drive to L.A. and back (if she doesn't need to be hospitalized) and treatment time combined, the Garcias are looking at 12 hour + days for many, many weeks ahead.
Cara, a second-grade teacher has already stopped working so that she can focus on Juliana getting the best care during her treatment and recovery from cancer. She has only a few days left before her time away from her job results in a deducted pay scale. Jorge will continue to work and support his family during this stressful, uncertain time. However, they now carry a heavy burden with all the additional costs, many unknown at this point, including: Juliana's surgery and hospital stays; chemotherapy treatments, medications, new diet, etc...; fuel costs for frequent travel to and from L.A.; sitter and care for Gavin; and more.
In this great season of giving, I ask that you find it in your hearts to give--a little or a lot--in support of Juliana Garcia. Please do all that you can to help this beautiful family who are doing all they can to save their precious daughter from cancer. At the very least, please pray for a total healing of Juilana, and for Jorge, Cara, Gavin and their family to get through this difficult, trying time together.
Thank you, friends and family! Your love and support are much appreciated.
Organizer and beneficiary
Autumn Coleman Purdy
Organizer
Westerville, OH
Cara Garcia
Beneficiary