Minnesota woman uses past experience to help brain cancer patients

Otter Tail Lake, MN (WDAY TV) - An Otter Tail Lake, Minnesota woman is on a mission. Julie Fletcher is not only continuing and winning her battle with a Grade-4 brain tumor, but she has turned her journey into a foundation that is educating and helping others facing the same diagnosis.

This Friday night at the Fargo Civic's Centennial Hall, Fletcher and others will host "Pray for Gray," an effort to raise money for research, and assist local families battling brain cancer.

Julie Fletcher, Pray for Gray: “I think attitude is everything, 99% attitude and the rest is the doctor.”

It would have been be easy for Julie Fletcher to get the news and give up.

Fletcher: “I thought it was the end of the world when I was driving in and looking at the fields I kept wondering in 6 months will I be gone. Devastating. I kept thinking do I have to do everything in the next year. It could be over.”

After surgeons at Mayo Clinic removed a brain tumor, they told her to start living, because she only had a year. Those were numbers, statistics, odds, a prognosis based on research, but not the human spirit.

Fletcher: “I have to be honest, my doctor is ecstatic. He says ‘I don't know what you are doing but keep doing it because it is amazing.’”

Five years after the disturbing news, Julie is not only alive and thriving. She has founded a charity called Pray for Gray. It helps local families, kids and adults dealing with brain tumors.

Fletcher: “You feel so lonely and lost right away. You’re thinking ‘OK I didn’t have a good prognosis here. Now who do I talk to? Who’s been through this? Who’s been through the radiation and the chemo? Am I going to be tired? Am I going to be sick?’”

Five years of living, instead of the one doctors gave her. Julie has proven it is not all about numbers or odds.

Fletcher: “Never give up, never give up.”

But simply living and loving every minute of it.

Fletcher: “Think of all the things on your bucket list. Start doing them.”

The "Pray for Gray" sold-out dinner and silent auction will be held this Friday night at the Fargo Civic Centennial Hall, beginning at six.

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Tags: kevin wallevand, news, health, minnesota, updates, reporters