Former Diplomat/Obama Alum Fights Breast Cancer

Our friend, former diplomat and Obama alum Julie Egan was diagnosed this year with Stage 2b breast cancer and has been fighting a tough battle. Her path of treatment has already included many months of doctors visits, medical testing, biopsies, travel for medical opinions, treatments, medications, four surgeries to date, weeks of the most aggressive chemotherapy known to mankind, and cold capping to attempt to maintain dignity and privacy by preserving hair. Still in front of her are three more months of weekly chemotherapy, 6 weeks of radiation, recovery and 2-3 additional surgeries.

As you can imagine, this diagnosis and intensive treatment was unexpected and mentally and physically challenging and exhausting. Medical and related expenses while in treatment beyond insurance will total more than $100,000. Unfortunately, these expenses and the time required to navigate this process are overwhelming, and all consuming. And managing them has become increasingly urgent.

Those who know Julie, know her to be a devoted public servant for the past twenty years, a loyal, loving and thoughtful friend and colleague, who puts friends and duty above all else. She is a passionate and creative problem solver and someone who would do anything for her family and country. Julie was a senior adviser, pioneer and policy innovator to the Clinton State Department during the Arab Spring and especially in Libya, Tunisia and the rest of North Africa, on which she is a recognized expert. She helped lead President Obama’s innovative Detroit team as part of the National Economic Council. She’s a Fulbright scholar and has worked across Africa and the Middle East with progressive nonprofits, think tanks and microfinance organizations, being recognized with the prestigious Council on Foreign Relations International Affairs Fellowship.

She has always pushed the limits of possible with her passion, energy, concern for others and work ethic. Even now, in the middle of this personal crisis, Julie is doing what she is physically able to partner with local businesses and foundations to create public awareness around breast cancer and raise funds for the hospitals and institutions who helped her and are researching this lesser known lobular breast cancer

Julie is also deeply private person and someone who finds it very difficult to ask for help. We, her friends and colleagues, are stepping forward to help her during this difficult time by helping to raise needed funds that will alleviate harmful stress and allow her the time and peace of mind to focus on her recovery and health.

In the spirit of President Obama’s own campaign finance strategy, all contributions big and small will go a long way, whether $5, $20 or $1000. That’s 1000 people contributing $100 or a smaller number of larger contributions, where feasible.

If you feel comfortable, we would appreciate if each person could share this campaign with 10 additional people via email, and ask them each to consider sharing with 5-10 people, or with closed alum groups or networks such as Obama alum, State Department, or United Nations alum (rather than just posting on social media). We hope that together we can offer our friend and colleague some of the same help we know she would offer anyone she knows should the situation be reversed. We are grateful for your thoughts, prayers, moral support and time in sharing this campaign!