Focus on Cancer of Walla Walla will present a fundraiser and auction to benefit Team Julianna at Gesa Power House Theatre on Saturday, March 4 at 6:00 p.m. Activities will include music by Frog Hollow Band, live and silent auctions, and local wine.
Julianna is a happy and caring little girl. Anyone who has met Julianna knows she has a contagious smile and infectious giggle. She is actively involved in a local 4-H club, loves soccer, gymnastics, and playing with her siblings and animals on the family’s small farm.
Less than one month after Julianna celebrated her 8th birthday her parents noticed her right eye did not move past midline. On November 20th, 2016, the words no parent should ever have to hear were spoken. “Your child has brain cancer”. Second opinions and further testing resulted in the heartbreaking news that the tumor was DIPG (Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma).
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.
A few experimental treatments are available but are very expensive and not covered by insurance. We are looking into treatments options in Europe at this time which would mean travel, lodging, and treatment expenses for an extended period of time.
The Sayler family appreciates your prayers and support through this difficult time. Julianna is a strong, brave little girl that has a deep faith in Jesus. The family appreciates all the prayers and support from their local community, and friends around the world.
Focus on Cancer is a non-profit comprised of physicians, oncology nurses, cancer survivors and family members of individuals diagnosed with cancer. An amazing organization with one end goal – make cancer a disease of the past. We are so excited to work them!
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