Kristen and Gabe Juliani
Donation protected
Gabe’s cancer is back, and we are sharing our story here. Thank you for joining us on this journey.
If you don’t know Gabe you may not realize that he has had to live his entire life NF1. As a child, Gabe was diagnosed with Neurofibromatosis, where tumors were attached to his nerve endings on the inside and outside of his body. He grew up getting MRI's, chemo, and surgeries on his eyes and his spine. He spent an entire year as an adolescent taking interferon treatments every day to slow the growth of these tumors.
Despite growing up in hospitals, Gabe’s passion for life was always present with friends and family. He was the kid that could have done anything with his Make-A-Wish opportunity, and he decided to take his entire family on a vacation.
Flash forward 10 years later. Gabe had started a business, was working full-time and had met this amazing girl (more on that later!). No one expected his next big diagnosis to be cancer.
When Gabe started this journey, Kristen was his girlfriend and soon to be fiance. They quickly got married and began the journey of surgery and chemo against cancer together. Their love story is a unique one (but if you know either of them, it also fits perfectly!). Their paths crossed many many MANY times over their lifetime but it took a random message (Gabe has some game) on OKCupid to bring them together. Then, like an OKCupid commercial, the rest was history :)
As Kristen says: "Gabe's unshakable positive attitude strengthened me, his parents and everyone he was connected to through this tough time. A warrior child turned amazing man."
A year after this initial diagnosis of testicular cancer, Gabe and Kristen shared the great news with family and friends - the chemo had been successful. All the prayers and financial help allowed Gabe and Kristen to start working again and even take a long overdue honeymoon as husband and wife.
That’s why this past month has been so incredibly challenging. After months of enjoying life together, working with the youth group, and beginning their life as a family—Gabe’s health started to deteriorate. His right leg became numb and then four weeks ago a shooting pain shot across it that was unbearable. We rushed him to the ER to get treated and find out what was happening.
After many tests, consults with teams of doctors, they explained that Gabe’s cancer was back, this time in many places.
The cancer took form in a nerve sheath on Gabe’s spine. His L5, C3, and C4 are all impacted deeply by malignant tumors that are taking away movement and causing great pain. Additionally, the cancer is back in his liver and lungs.
After meeting with a team of doctors from Jefferson (radiologist, oncologist, and surgeon) they decided the best action was to start radiation immediately and then move forward with possible chemo and surgery down the road. The doctors believe this to be treatable but are not sure they will ever be able to rid his body completely of cancer.
We are asking that you continue to pray and support Gabe and Kristen during this time. Their entire life, prayer has been a catalyst for dealing with any situation. And please do not hesitate to reach out for specific requests. This page will also keep you updated throughout the journey.
But, they do need financial help as well.
Gabe and Kristen are asking for small donations, there are many others in need and they don't to take away from them. Your donation will go to helping cover bills that are not covered by insurance like co-pays and deductibles.
If you don’t know Gabe you may not realize that he has had to live his entire life NF1. As a child, Gabe was diagnosed with Neurofibromatosis, where tumors were attached to his nerve endings on the inside and outside of his body. He grew up getting MRI's, chemo, and surgeries on his eyes and his spine. He spent an entire year as an adolescent taking interferon treatments every day to slow the growth of these tumors.
Despite growing up in hospitals, Gabe’s passion for life was always present with friends and family. He was the kid that could have done anything with his Make-A-Wish opportunity, and he decided to take his entire family on a vacation.
Flash forward 10 years later. Gabe had started a business, was working full-time and had met this amazing girl (more on that later!). No one expected his next big diagnosis to be cancer.
When Gabe started this journey, Kristen was his girlfriend and soon to be fiance. They quickly got married and began the journey of surgery and chemo against cancer together. Their love story is a unique one (but if you know either of them, it also fits perfectly!). Their paths crossed many many MANY times over their lifetime but it took a random message (Gabe has some game) on OKCupid to bring them together. Then, like an OKCupid commercial, the rest was history :)
As Kristen says: "Gabe's unshakable positive attitude strengthened me, his parents and everyone he was connected to through this tough time. A warrior child turned amazing man."
A year after this initial diagnosis of testicular cancer, Gabe and Kristen shared the great news with family and friends - the chemo had been successful. All the prayers and financial help allowed Gabe and Kristen to start working again and even take a long overdue honeymoon as husband and wife.
That’s why this past month has been so incredibly challenging. After months of enjoying life together, working with the youth group, and beginning their life as a family—Gabe’s health started to deteriorate. His right leg became numb and then four weeks ago a shooting pain shot across it that was unbearable. We rushed him to the ER to get treated and find out what was happening.
After many tests, consults with teams of doctors, they explained that Gabe’s cancer was back, this time in many places.
The cancer took form in a nerve sheath on Gabe’s spine. His L5, C3, and C4 are all impacted deeply by malignant tumors that are taking away movement and causing great pain. Additionally, the cancer is back in his liver and lungs.
After meeting with a team of doctors from Jefferson (radiologist, oncologist, and surgeon) they decided the best action was to start radiation immediately and then move forward with possible chemo and surgery down the road. The doctors believe this to be treatable but are not sure they will ever be able to rid his body completely of cancer.
We are asking that you continue to pray and support Gabe and Kristen during this time. Their entire life, prayer has been a catalyst for dealing with any situation. And please do not hesitate to reach out for specific requests. This page will also keep you updated throughout the journey.
But, they do need financial help as well.
Gabe and Kristen are asking for small donations, there are many others in need and they don't to take away from them. Your donation will go to helping cover bills that are not covered by insurance like co-pays and deductibles.
Organizer and beneficiary
Bill McKernan
Organizer
Blue Bell, PA
Gabriel Juliani
Beneficiary