Our sweet Julianna was born in 2008. She was long prayed for and the first daughter of my sister and brother-in-law, Stacie and Eric. Her older brother, Joshua, is a protective, deep-loving boy who is her best friend. A few years later her younger sister Jillian was born and the three are the best of friends. My mom and I and my son who is four years old round out our amazing family.
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| Our Family |
Julianna's arrival was a miracle as she was born early and had to stay in the NICU for awhile to be stabilized. Her palms the size of quarters, she easily fit into a Christmas stocking!
She loves animals and the family lives on a little farm. they have two goats, a horse, chickens, dogs and a kitty. Julianna is in 4-H and loves to show her cute chickens. she is confident and petite. Dynamite and magnetic, her personality and charisma draws people to her. she is every inch a lady but in a moment can be out with the boys in the dirt and playing and rough housing with the best of them! She is gifted athletically and does gymnastics, ballet, swimming, and soccer.
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| Soccer Girl! |
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| Julianna and Kloie |
On November 20th, 2016, our family’s lives were changed forever. It was on this day we heard the words no parent should ever hear, “Your child has cancer.” We never thought it would “happen to us.” Unfortunately it has…
On that November day we were told that Julianna had an inoperable brain tumor known as DIGP (Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma). This is an aggressive form of pediatric cancer and at this time there is no cure. To hear those words spoken about your eight year old daughter is unimaginable. Just the day before we had noticed that her right eye wasn’t tracking properly. That’s all the warning we had before receiving this news.
Thirty treatments of radiation is the standard of care for a DIPG brain tumor. This form of rare brain cancer affects about 250-300 children in North America each year. There is no known cure, no improvement in treatment in the last 50 years and no one has yet to survive this aggressive form of cancer that typically affects children between the ages of 5-9. Typical life expectancy for children with DIPG is between six and twelve months, though some are living longer with aggressive treatment.
A few experimental treatments are available but are very expensive and not covered by insurance. We are looking into treatments options in the U.S and Europe at this time which would mean travel, lodging, and costly treatment expenses for an extended period of time. We are in need of raising at least $100,000.
-We Need Your Support-
From the day our sweet Julianna was diagnosed we have been praying for wisdom and researching options to do our best to make her the exception to the rule! As her family we will do whatever it takes to give her the best treatments possible.
We are asking that you would join the team and fight this cancer through donating what you can so we can get Julianna where she needs to be, and everything she needs to fight for her little life! Team Julianna has set up multiple ways you can support and donate to her medical and travel fund (See the information on how to donate on her Facebook page- "Julianna's Journey- Praying for a Cure"). Every little bit helps and we are so thankful for your kindness.
Our family appreciates your prayers and support through this difficult time. Julianna is a strong, brave little girl that has a deep faith in Jesus. We are all so thankful for the prayers and support from individuals such as yourself, our local community, and friends around the world.
Love and Prayers,
Sis and Team Julianna
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