Julia Hahn had already lost her father to small cell lung cancer and witnessed her mother’s breast cancer survivorship when she was diagnosed herself with Stage IV pancreatic cancer in 2023.
After her diagnosis, she’s had chemotherapy, 30 days of radiation, and a Whipple surgery, which had clean margins and no evidence of disease for three months. Soon after, her doctors found her cancer had metastasized to her liver. Since then, she’s been on maintenance chemo and has had a procedure called Y-90 that has shown promise.
While Julia says having cancer has been horrible, she’s found herself living and loving more than in the past 10 years.
“I got out more with friends, see more shows, and do a lot more activities with my kids,” she said. “I’ve learned how big my village truly is and how much others care about me and how I have impacted their lives.”
The best depiction of Julia’s attitude is the Chemo Crown tiara she wears during her chemo treatments, along with glittery eye shadow.
“Even if I don’t feel like doing it, it makes other people smile,” she said.
Julia is participating in Taste of Hope to show that living with cancer is challenging, but it’s made easier with the support of others.
