Julia Sandlant

I’m Julia. I am 23 years old living with Neurofibromatosis (NF) which is a genetic disorder that causes tumours to grow on nerves, including the brain and spine. It is progressive, unpredictable, and currently there is no cure. I was an aspiring Early Childhood Education and Care Educator at Wonderschool Conder, located in Canberra’s far south. As well as working in the field, which I loved, I was studying full-time to become a qualified Early Childhood Teacher. NF never stopped me from doing the things I loved or exploring the world; I have skydived three times and bungee jumped too.

Last year in August, we found out that I had a sarcoma tumour on my left thigh and after surgery, I was back at work only after two weeks of recovery. I then completed 30 rounds of radiation, waking up at 6:30am each morning to have treatment by 7:30am, and I would then travel to work and work a full day. As I loved my job, seeing the children each day made my day, even though it meant my days were super long.

Over Christmas of 2021, we found a new lump which was unfortunately another sarcoma and after waiting 6 hours in ER, I was sent home with test to follow in the new year.

Unfortunately, on New Year's Eve, I ended up getting worse in my overall health and once again landed back in the ER. Tests were finally run and the news, which no one expected or wanted, came. That the cancer was back and was metastatic, meaning it has spread to other body parts, which means I was classed as terminal.

Aggressive chemo starting a week later to help give me the best possible outcome of more time to spend with those who I care about.

Over the next few months, the Wonder Team will host events to raise money for the Children’s Tumour Foundation (CTF), which is an organisation who helps support families and individuals living with NF.

I was born a fighter and I am proud that this will help fund research in the future, as tumours should never be a persons normal.

Here to fight.