Today we’d like to introduce you to Julio Alvarado.
Julio, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
2017 was a heck of a year! Drinking, partying with family and friends in the notorious Houston Montrose area. I was living life! Accomplishing my goals with work and life. I was carefree but most importantly CANCER FREE. Until the summer of that year, life was great, I was your typical 29-year-old, having fun and hanging out with friends. Suddenly at night I started experiencing some excruciating migraines. I began shedding pounds and before I knew it, I was in a deep depression. All my family and friends wanted to know what was happening. They wanted to know why I wasn’t the same happy go-lucky guy anymore. I seeked Medical help and my doctor urged me to go got an immediate MRI. the bloodwork revealed something was wrong in my body. The MRI soon revealed that I had a cancerous tumor in the brain. A surgical procedure was urged. Family and friends quickly fled to the hospital waiting area to get results as I was undergoing surgery. I came out a champion after the surgery. But little did I know, that weeks after removing the first tumor. A SECOND tumor had appeared. This time around the doctors could not enter into my skull once again. I ended up at LBJ Hospital where I received a few rounds of chemotherapy. A few months, later, I was granted access into MD Anderson’s Cancer Center. The #1 Cancer Center in the world. At MD Anderson I learned about the “Boot Walk” an organization that raises funds for cancer patients to GIVE CANCER THE BOOT. I soon became overly excited about getting involved in this. I created a group to raise funds for MDA. They would use this fund to research more cancer treatments and resources.
I created JULIO’S LYMPHOMA WARRIORS. Soon I had a large group of about 100 people all donating to the cause. I was unemployed and people wanted to support me and my cause. I used the funds to donate them to MD Anderson and started a “Julio’s Lymphoma BACKPACK Warriors” edition. Julio’s Lymphoma Backpack Warriors was a small contribution to build school back packs with supplies for children in Mexico living in poverty. On November of 2017 I joined my first annual BOOT WALK. I was greeted there with about 65 people all wearing my shirt with my logo! Ready to support me and the cause. I continued to do the walk the next year but this time it was different. I WAS NOW CANCER FREE. I am thankful to god and will continue doing the walk and raising funds for help end cancer.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Dealing with the rounds of chemotherapy was tough. I was extremely fatigued, so tired to even eat some days. I was put on all appetite enhancers, but nothing seemed to work. I lost over 50 lbs. and was down to a body weight of 99 lbs. Even worse the extended hospital admissions where heartbreaking. I couldn’t spend time with family and friends. Chemotherapy is very intense.
We’d love to hear more about the organization.
Having to deal with cancer MYSELF and being through the entire process makes me understand others journey. No one knows what will happen, no one knows what could happen tomorrow. The fact that I went through this experience helps me understand people who need the funds. Julio’s Lymphoma Warriors is an on growing cause. I will continue taking school supplies to kids in Mexico because I understand the economy there. My parents grew up in that country and I know how hard it is to live life there.
What were you like growing up?
As a kid, I was VERY SHY. I grew into my own when I was a teen in high school. I started to finally feel free, to be myself, I was popular and had a lot of friends. I was flamboyant and people seemed to like that. I was in the choir, acting and even did drama. I played the piano growing up, I loved singing and acting.
Contact Info:
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/julioslymphomawarriors
- Email: julyjca@gmail.com
Image Credit:
Patsy La Bella Photography
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