Julie Wilkerson's Cancer Recovery

Julie was diagnosed with breast cancer in October 2021. Since then, she has bravely faced a double mastectomy, reconstruction, chemo, and radiation, all while being across the country from her extended support system and attempting to raise teenagers. Each of those events would be earth-shattering and devastating for the best of us, but she has handled it all with a grace that I cannot fathom. I've watched her struggle with multiple drains after her surgery in January, ongoing bone-deep exhaustion, nausea and hair loss from chemo, extremely painful radiation burns, and a veritable pharmacy of drugs to counteract the side effects of other drugs.

Julie recently completed her radiation treatments and is about to embark on another round of reconstructive surgeries and a hysterectomy after her burns heal. I joke with her that she will be a brand new woman after this, but I know this is the same tough, caring person I've called my best friend for 23 years and counting.

I hope you can help her and her family with their continuing financial burden. Those who know her won't need me to tell them that she is a genuine, sweet soul who is utterly devoted to her husband and their four kids (Joshua, Gabriel, Hannah, and Israel.) What we all hoped would be a relatively routine recovery is now approaching the third year of high deductibles from continuing cancer recovery treatments. Coupled with unforeseen vehicle problems (did you know pack rats can destroy car engines and are rampant in Arizona?) and various other expenses from procedures and raising teens, they are struggling. I hope we can ease that burden together so Julie can focus on healing completely instead of shouldering this weight too.