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Soon after Julie Paige McAvinn was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2003, she and her husband Peter resolved to do something to help other female patients battling women's cancers and their families. Julie died three months later, leaving behind three young children, Christopher, Paige and Jillian. But the couple's vision lived on in their creation of The Julie Fund. "Julie and I decided that we really wanted to educate the public and healthcare practitioners about the warning signs of ovarian cancer. And we were just incredibly touched by the plight of people facing cancer," says Peter.
The Julie Fund, a nonprofit affiliated with MGH and Partners HealthCare, has since raised awareness about breast, ovarian and other women's cancers and more than $600,000 to benefit MGH cancer research, patient and family support, and educational programs for health professionals and the general public.
Peter says he has found an "ancillary benefit" with the creation of the fund – in addition to the meaningful work it does in the fight against cancer. "My family and I talk about Julie and the Julie Fund every day – but not about Julie's death. This gives us a way to talk about Julie 365 days a year...I want my kids to still have their mother in their lives, but I don't want it to be forced. Julie is still such a presence in our home." |
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