On June 2, 2010, the world welcomed a beautiful little girl named Julia Donohue. Four short months later, this happy and healthy baby girl began showing signs of what seemed like a stomach virus. Julia’s parents, Bob and Claudia Donohue, took her to the emergency room on November 12, 2010.  Several days later their world was turned upside down.  Julia was diagnosed with a rare form of brain cancer called, Gliofibroma.  Tests revealed that Julia’s cancer was not limited to her brain, but was also present on her spine as well.  The cancer is so rare that only a handful of cases have been reported and there have been no cases of Julia’s magnitude at such a young age.
 
On November 18, 2010, Julia had her first surgery to remove part of the tumor pressing on her brain.  Since then she has endured two additional surgeries.   The first surgery’s purpose was to place an external shunt.  When the external shunt did not work, a subsequent surgery was necessary to place an internal shunt. The placement of the internal shunt was a risky surgery because it may cause her tumors to spread to her abdomen. A fourth surgery is now being scheduled because Julia vomits with almost every feeding. She will undergo surgery to have a Nissen fundoplication and a G-tube. Hopefully, this will significantly reduce Julia’s vomiting and she will finally be able to put on weight.
 
Julia now receives weekly chemotherapy treatments to help reduce the risk of the cancer spreading and to shrink, and hopefully eliminate, her tumors.  Because the cancer is so rare, there is no established course of treatment.  Therefore the doctors are trying one course of treatment, and if that does not produce positive results, they will have to assess the situation and find a new course of treatment. Since the cancer is so rare, if positive results are not found, the doctors are unsure what the next step may be. According to the present treatment protocol, Julia will be receiving treatments for the next year.
 
Through everything, this beautiful baby girl still manages to smile. When you are around her, her smile is infectious and can light up a whole room. Julia remains playful, happy and truly inspires everyone around her.  For all of these reasons, Julia is our own little hero.
 
Written by Alaina Marchio, Julia’s Cousin
February 2011