In Episode 44 of the Game Over: c*ncer, hosts Dana Nichols and Val Solomon sit down with Julie Feuerstein. Julie is an assistant professor in the School of Communication Sciences and Disorders at the University of Central Florida. She is also a mother. Her daughter, Mara, was diagnosed with B-Cell ALL at the age of six, and Julie remembers every detail from diagnosis to survivorship. How does a mom survive after hearing a parent’s worst nightmare? Hear how Julie learned to tolerate treatment, and continues to survive in survivorship on her Game Over: c*ncer episode.
Watch Julie’s episode here:
Game Over: c*ncer EP44: Julie Feuerstein
- Children often remember less than we do, and that can be a gift
Mara recounts her treatment with remarkable resilience and often glosses over the hardest moments. Julie reflects that while she remembers every detail, it’s a gift to see her daughter focused on life, not trauma.
- Early diagnosis and medical guidance make a world of difference
Mara’s leukemia diagnosis came after months of confusing symptoms and rigorous testing. The combination of a vigilant pediatrician and a clear treatment protocol helped the family navigate the unknown. Julie emphasizes how fortunate they were to have access to decades of research-backed treatment.
- Parent-to-parent support is powerful, when it can happen
During Mara’s treatment in the isolation of COVID, Julie and her husband, Ross, often felt alone as they navigated the emotional and practical realities of a pediatric cancer diagnosis. Today, they’ve become the resource they once needed, guiding some newly diagnosed families so no one has to face those early days without support.
- Survivorship comes with its own challenges
Even after treatment ends, parents continue to hold their breath at lab results and checkups. Survivorship isn’t just about celebrating remission; it’s also about long-term monitoring, understanding potential side effects, and supporting the child’s ongoing development, a process that is hard and difficult to navigate.
- Children should lead the conversation about their story
Mara’s journey showed Julie the importance of letting kids guide how much they share and when. Mara decided what she was comfortable with, from giving a presentation about blood cancer to classmates at age six to deciding not to talk about it at age eleven. Children’s comfort and autonomy should be respected as they process their experience over time.
- Research saves lives, and continued investment is critical
Julie’s perspective as a researcher helped her appreciate the decades of work that made Mara’s treatment possible. Pediatric cancer research has dramatically improved survival rates, but government funding cuts and gaps in research for certain cancers are a real threat. Organizations like the Cannonball Kids’ cancer Foundation ensure that innovative treatments continue to reach children in need.
- Healing takes time for both children and parents
The emotional toll of treatment extends well beyond the hospital. Julie shares how she and Ross navigated their own intense stress, physical illness, and mental exhaustion during and after treatment. Over time, with support and reflection, they’ve reached a place of cautious optimism, a reminder that recovery is both physical and emotional.
Why It Matters
CKc believes research is the key because research creates next steps. Julie saw the impacts of this important research when she was given the roadmap to survivorship for her daughter, Mara’s, B-Cell ALL diagnosis. Julie recognizes that it wasn’t a fix-all and faces the challenges of survivorship following Mara’s lead.
If you’re moved by Julie’s story and want to be part of the progress that’s helping kids and families facing cancer, visit cannonballkidscancer.org to learn more, donate, or get involved.
Know a survivor or advocate whose story needs to be shared? Email us at info@cannonballkidscancer.org to nominate a guest!
