Julieanna Juarez was diagnosed with Stage III, Triple Negative breast cancer in October 2019. After losing over 50 pounds, she was in the bathtub one day and felt a lump in her breast. “I made an appointment just in case and I almost didn’t go because I thought it was because I lost weight.”

She received the news that it was cancer while at work. She recalls the moment as being surreal. “I was waiting for someone to call me and say it was just a mistake.”

After coming to terms with her diagnosis, Julieanna has had a positive outlook on her journey through cancer. She attends weekly chemotherapy sessions and doesn’t hide the fact that it’s hard. “It’s an emotional roller coaster and hard to put into words. It’s a range of things—it’s sickness, loss of your hair, loss of independence.”

Although she faces difficult times, she shares how grateful she is to have an amazing support system. “I am so appreciative of what I have…my friends and family from near and far are always checking on me.”

The support she has, she gives to others through her chemo bags. “The bags include Lorna Dunes because they help me with nausea. chapstick and lotion because chemo dries you out. Hand sanitizer because germs are our enemy and fuzzy socks because I am always cold. A journal because I know some days, I am sad, angry and confused [and] writing it down helps. And a bracelet that says hope and strength because my goal is to remain positive.”

Julieanna donated 38 chemo bags to The Pink Ribbon Place, Riverside’s first breast cancer resource center and a program of Riverside Community Health Foundation.

Julieanna’s fight is far from over but she remains positive. Her bags have brought hope and love to individuals impacted by this disease.