I am Julie Hamill, twenty-five years old from Poway, California. I have been living in Washington, DC for about two years, and am beginning my second year of law school at American University this fall.

My mom, Katie Hamill, was diagnosed with a glioblastoma in May of 2005, at the age of forty-six. My sister Jacqueline, father Bill, and I took care of her for the duration of her illness. She was the most stubborn fighter I have ever known, enduring two brain surgeries, radiation therapy, and countless chemotherapy treatments. She was prepared to do absolutely anything to battle her disease, and she accepted with open arms every experimental treatment that came our way.

My mom did not possess the capacity to stop fighting.

She was a vibrant and beautiful woman. Her characteristic sense of humor was present until her last breath. She faced every treatment side effect with as much humor as she could possibly muster. When steroids caused swelling in her upper back area, she downloaded Fergie’s “My Humps” as her ringtone, and each time her phone rang, she’d laugh and dance around in her seat.

I realized through this process that, when a person is diagnosed with a brain tumor, their options are extremely limited. The only hope for these people is a strong commitment to funding for brain tumor research. I want to do everything in my power to help advance this effort. 

I ran my first marathon last fall with Team McGraw, and it was an experience that words cannot describe. It is my great honor to continue my mother's fight to give hope to future brain tumor patients and their families through research.

My mom is my inspiration, and I know she’ll be there pushing me through every mile.

Thanks for supporting both me and my mom by making your donation for the Tug McGraw Foundation, and follow me along on my journey to the marathon by visiting my blog at http://www.julesindc.blogspot.com.  ____________________________________________________________

The Tug McGraw Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, tax-exempt organization designated by the Internal Revenue Code. Our tax identification number is 20-0586256.