Julie's Journey - Pursuit to Recovery

Strong, independent, vivacious, warrior, survivor, mother, daughter, sister, aunt, and friend. All words that come to mind when we think of our sister Julie Pifer.

Over the last 16-plus years, Julie has faced numerous challenges in her health. In 2006, as a senior in high school, she was diagnosed with Lupus, an autoimmune disease.

Lupus would continue to push and test all limits we didn’t even know were possible. Countless nights spent in the hospital, numerous medications and tests, and so so so many doctors… Julie’s Lupus caused so many scary and life-threatening events, from having a stroke, to attacking and shutting down her kidney function, causing her to live on dialysis for (4+) years.

Our parents, Gerry and Beth Pifer, were by her side the whole way though. Our mom especially spent almost every night by her bedside. So it was no surprise that when we found out that Julie qualified to be placed on the Kidney Transplant list, that mom got tested to see if she was a match. As the good Lord would have it, Mom was a match! It was without question that she would do everything possible to be Julie’s kidney donor, and she was! Our mother not only gave life to Julie once but 2x in this lifetime!

Julie has been living a full life with her son Hunter since the transplant. Her lupus has been dormant, and her overall health has been good. In March of 2021, following a clear annual exam with her OBGYN in December 2020, Julie was diagnosed with cervical cancer. Julie then underwent chemotherapy/radiation and was told she was in remission.

However, her cancer returned less than 3 months later, this time with a vengeance. Julie is a fighter! She is fighting this cancer not only for her own life but to be here for Hunter as well! Julie and Hunter have the most special bond possible between a mother and her son. He is so caring and truly adores her and has always been happy to show his love and affection to his mom no matter who may be around. He loves her so deeply!

This love, and the love of our parents has aided Julie in her fight against this cancer so far. Our parents have proven they will go to great lengths to seek out all options for a life saving outcome if there’s to be one. When one center told her there was no need for hope, mom and dad refused to accept that. Dad even took Julie to a special Cancer center (MD Anderson Cancer Center) in Houston, Texas for another opinion. He continues to take care of her and drive her to and from her treatments. (Mom had a back injury that leaves her unable sit for long periods of time and go with Dad. But he's there with Julie at every appt keeping Mom in touch)

As her treatments progress, Julie has been forced to become very dependent on our parents. This alone is hard for Julie as she has always been a strong and independent woman! In recent days, since her cancer has rapidly progressed, she has been unable to work. While the disability insurance helps, it doesn’t come close to even covering the regular and daily life expenses to care for her and Hunter’s needs, let alone the ever-growing stack of medical bills that keep rolling in!

Many have asked how they can help. And as her siblings, we are so grateful for the friends, family who have reached out and the community that we live in and have decided to set up a gofundme to provide an avenue for everyone to truly help in a way that will be appreciated more than anyone could know. Our goal is to relieve Julie from the financial stresses she is under so she can focus all her energy on fighting for her life and more days spent with Hunter. If we don't receive the miracle we're all praying for, any funds left over will be placed into a trust our parents have set up for Hunter to make sure his needs are met until he's of age.

We thank you,

Danielle Shaw

Michelle Ballinger

Megan Love

Jimmy Pifer