Untimely Death of Orland Teen Led to Ongoing Cancer Fight

Julianne Doody was captain of her school volleyball team and voted "most likely to succeed" by her classmates. But at 13, her life was cut short by an aggressive form of cancer.

The Orland Park girl was diagnosed in 2002 with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia. Less than 14 weeks later, she succumbed to the disease.

Mary Doody remembers how her daughter "loved spending time with her friends and family. She was always babysitting her little cousins and hanging out with the girls from the neighborhood. She was also incredibly talented at volleyball, playing both for her school and a traveling club team. She was a natural-born leader on and off the court."

For the last nine years, a fundraiser walk has been held in Julianne’s honor. This year’s “Julie Walk” will be held Friday at the Orland Park Civic Center.

"Julie had symptoms of strep throat and was being treated with antibiotics, but the fever did not go away, and she developed a rash on her legs,” Mary Doody said about the cancer’s initial effects on Julianne. “When I brought her back to the doctor he could feel her spleen was swollen too so he sent us over to Hope Children's Hospital, where she was diagnosed and admitted that day. Chemo started the next day." 

Her family wanted to do something to help find a cure for leukemia and other blood cancers, and help other families that are battling the illness. 

In 2002, to honor the memory of Julianne, the For Julie Foundation was formed to raise funds for the latest research projects, and assist families struggling with the costs of cancer treatment.

To help identify research projects, the foundation partnered with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society as well as Julie’s uncle, Dr. Daniel Doody, a professor at Harvard Medical School. 

Volunteers maintain the For Julie Foundation, which means all funds raised go directly to the cause and not toward employee wages. The volunteers are a huge part of the organization's success, and have helped raise just over $900,000 since the foundation formed in 2002. 

Mary Doody thanks her "family and close friends of the family, who have all gone above and beyond by not only volunteering the night of the event, but helping us prepare along the way."

The event on Friday will begin at 6:45pm with a balloon launch to honor those that have lost their battle with blood cancers. 

The event continues with a two-mile walk beginning at the Civic Center, leading past High Point Elementary and Orland Junior High, both of which Julie attended. After the walk, participants are welcome to enjoy live entertainment, pizza and refreshments, raffles and a silent auction.  

The foundation is asking for a minimum donation of $25 for every adult participating. Children ages 7 and under can come for free. 

"We completely understand that with the economy, this (donation) may not always be easy,” Mary Doody said. “We just ask that people do what they can. We would never turn anyone away that wants to help support the cause and help us remember Julie."

If you cannot make it that night but still want to contribute, make a donation anytime by visiting the website at ForJulie.org . 

If you are a local business owner and would like to join the fundraising efforts, you can help by donating items to be raffled off at the event or becoming a sponsor of the foundation. 

For more information, contact the For Julie Foundation at info@fridayforjulie.org, call 708-349-7494

What...9th Annual Friday for Julie Walk

When...Friday, July 29th 6pm check-in, event begins at 6:45pm

Where...Orland Park Civic Center, 14750 S. Ravinia Avenue