Taking control of the cancer journey: Julia’s running streak lives on

Outrun Cancer

Today’s guest gives me so much joy every time I talk with her! Julia and I have never met in person. Based in Jordan she messaged me on Instagram and although it took me a few days (or more than a few days!) to see the message in my “junk folder” I am so glad she persistently sent a follow up that got me to finally see her message. Julia is a streak runner and has just passed her ONE YEAR CANCERVESARY in April - woohoo! Julia shares with us how she took control of her thoughts and chose how she would approach her surgery and follow on therapy for breast cancer. From being a runner in Jordan where it is less common for women to run out on the streets, to running during chemotherapy, to running the day after surgery and then a half marathon within weeks of surgery! OMG such an inspiration! This is Julia’s story as she takes control of cancer.

Arabic Summary by Julia starts at [1:00:25]

نأمل أن تستمتع بهذه الحلقة مع فانيسا وجوليا تتحدثان عن الجري والسرطان وتحديد الأهداف والسيطرة على رحلة العافية الخاصة بك. تبدأ اللغة العربية في1:00:25

If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Take a screenshot of yourself listening to the episode on your device, post it to your Instagram Stories, and tag me @voicesofcancer.

In this episode you’ll hear:

• How Julia’s started her streak running and the challenges she had
• How Julia believes that doing something visibly will help to disrupt the norms and how she is doing that in Jordan
• Why Julia decided to rebrand chemotherapy and how she maintained her mindset through her treatment for breast cancer
• What happened when Vanessa sent a gift of “knitted goods” to Julia in Jordan by mail
• Julia and Vanessa’s plan to run a marathon together in 2022

About Julia:

Julia Haddad is a streak runner, cancer thriver from Amman Jordan. In April 2021 she was diagnosed with cancer and quickly started to think about how to survive and thrive through the journey. She has been sharing and documenting her journey through cancer in the hope that it will build awareness of the cancer journey for others, especially women in the Middle East and her home country of Jordan. A powerhouse of positive energy and inspiration, she has been making an impact with her story and we are glad to have her on #outruncancer as that is truly what she is doing.

Connect with Julia:

IG: https://www.instagram.com/julia.haddad87/

Connect with Vanessa:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/voicesofcancer/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanessa-oshima-she-her-37b51113/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/weoutruncancer