Melissa noticed Julie’s eye twitching during breakfast one morning, and they had an MRI done. The tumor was 4 centimeters, but chemo has shrunk it to approximately 3 centimeters. Initially, Julie’s doctors wanted to de-bulk the tumor, but it was too close to the pituitary gland.
“It’s a slow-growing tumor, and surgery would put her more at risk,” said Melissa, who lives in Huber Heights. “But you would never know she was sick. She’s on a lot of medication, but looks wonderful and hasn’t lost any hair. One more cycle, and then they’ll give her a break.”
In the meantime, the family has been hard at work raising money for Team Julie to support St. Jude. Approximately 18,000 people converged in Tennessee for the 13th annual St. Jude Memphis Marathon on Dec. 6. Fifty of those supporters were there for Team Julie, and about half participated in the races. Julie’s mother ran the full marathon along with two others; the rest covered the half marathon, marathon relay or the 5K. The team has raised close to $31,500 from the race and donations through the end of last year.
“I am flabbergasted at how much money they raised, especially without doing much publicity,” said Jaida Deaton of Kettering, a friend of the family. “They have so many avid supporters.”
About $4,000 of that total was raised by Melissa’s mother, Vicki Strain, and her friend Susie Reeves of Greenfield from a 5K race on Nov. 1.
Donations are still being accepted on Melissa’s webpage: www.heroes.stjude.org/melissagargasz.
From there, you can navigate to the family’s St. Jude Marathon page.
“Julie’s an amazing ball of energy, a sweetheart and very developmentally advanced,” said Melissa. “Our family is very humbled by this whole experience, and I’m so happy that I was able to carry my little heroes, Julie and her twin sister, Gabrielle, across the finish line. I think they’ll be very proud of our efforts.”
The total funds raised for St. Jude on Dec. 6 was $7.5 million.
“On behalf of the kids and families of St. Jude, I want to congratulate our winners for each race, and every person who put their heart and soul into running and walking for the kids of St. Jude,” said Richard Shadyac Jr., president and CEO of ALSAC/St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
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