After struggling with a chronic disease, Julie Garcia found more than healing – she found a future.
Julie’s life took a drastic turn in 2021 when she was unexpectedly diagnosed with Rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare and aggressive soft tissue cancer that develops in muscle tissue. The diagnosis was devastating, but it eventually sparked a new sense of purpose. Now a senior at West Chicago Community High School, Julie hopes to pursue a career in nursing.
After spending countless hours in hospitals receiving chemotherapy and radiation therapy, Julie became increasingly curious about the medical field. She watched her nurses insert infusion lines and monitor patient comfort – small moments that planted the seed for a future in health care.
“Having a chronic disease and just being in the hospital a lot, and just seeing how the nurses would deal with everything – I feel like it was always very interesting,” Julie said.
Julie often asked questions during appointments about how things worked. Over time, what once filled her with dread became something she looked forward to – an opportunity to learn.
Today, Julie is enrolled in the nursing assistant program at the Technology Center of DuPage. The coursework is challenging, but Julie approaches it with the same determination she used to fight her illness.
“I study a lot and try to do my best,” Julie said.
At times, she has pulled all-nighters to prepare for nursing exams. Her hard work paid off in November when she passed the CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) exam – a rigorous test with up to 100 multiple-choice questions and time constraints that tested her endurance.
“There was a lot of doubt in my answers, making it a difficult process,” she said.
Senior Tiffany Martinez, who is also enrolled in the nursing program at TCD, sees Julie’s passion in action every day.
“Julie is doing great. Her dedication and work ethic are a demonstration of what a great and hardworking person she is,” Martinez said. “She pushes herself and gives it her all. It shows you how devoted she is to becoming a nurse.”
Martinez added that Julie’s personality is as impactful as her skills.
“I believe Julie would make a magnificent nurse. I often find her caring about others more than herself… she values the people around her. Julie also makes people feel heard and valued no matter their circumstance. She’s a very strong individual – she’s fought cancer and gone through a very dark path, but she always picks herself up,” Martinez said.
Julie credits her strength to her parents, who have consistently encouraged her to make the most of her opportunities – opportunities they did not always have themselves.
“I would say to my parents, I look up to them and try to be better and take advantage of the opportunities they give me,” Julie said. “They tell me that if I really want something, I can do it. I just have to put my mind to it and push myself to success.”
Julie’s oldest sister, Andrea Garcia, has seen that determination firsthand.
“During the period that she was in and out of the hospital as a patient, I remember that even if she was feeling sick, she would still ask many questions,” Garcia said. “She wanted to know what medication she was getting and the reason, as well as doing her own research about procedures she would get. She was always eager to learn more medical information.”
To Andrea, Julie’s strength speaks for itself.
“One of the most inspiring things about Julie is that she is a very strong person who never makes anything look hard. She does what she puts her mind to. If she says she will do something, you can count on her doing it,” Andrea said.
