Julie Houston: March Caring for the Carolinas Award Winner

Julie Houston was the winner of the March Caring for the Carolinas Award. Julie has been a tireless advocate for brain tumor awareness after her husband Keith was diagnosed with a tumor several years ago. Julie was told that Keith would only have six months to live. Julie decided she would go in search of all the information she could about his tumor and possible treatments. Julie eventally found information on a new clinical trial at Duke University, which she would later get Keith into. Julie says this probably saved his life. She says there was so much information out there it was scary, and she nearly deleted the email that had what she needed to get Keith into his trial. Julie decided she wanted to help other people going through what she and her family went through. Julie knew that information, advice, and simple support would make the difference for families during this time. Julie started a non-profit brain tumor awareness organization and a website which offers lots of information for those suffering and survivors as well. Julie says the website also allows people to tell their own stories and realize that they aren't alone in their journey. Julie says that through her journey she has been led by angels to many people who needed her help. Many of those people came to the Caring for the Carolinas award ceremony to show how much she means to them. Angie Gilbert says Julie has been there for her when she has meltdowns and needs advice about her husband Terry's brain tumor. "If it werent for Julie my family would have fallen a long time ago,"said Terry. Julie is also currently working to get Congress to introduce a bill that would create a brain awareness semi-postal stamp. Julie says every brain organization in the United States has signed on to accept the funds from the stamp, and now all Congress has to do is introduce it. She says this money would be vital for research and helping fund programs like hers that operate without any outside funding. We were happy to honor Julie Houston for her outstanding work in the community with our Caring for the Carolinas award.

There are several brain tumor awareness events in the month of May that you can get involved with: May 16th -The First Annual Grey Ribbon Ride Starting at the Marietta Subway. Part of the proceeds will benefit the Lance Armstrong Foundation. May 18th- The 10th Annual Melvin McCall "Strokes for Progess" Memorial Golf Tournament at Pebble Creek Golf Course in Taylors, South Carolina. They will be auctioning off sports memorabilia and other prizes.