“With will, determination and hope, humans can make miracles”

With these words, young Julie summed for us her journey with cancer and how she was able to overcome the disease.

Julie Zaini, a young Syrian woman from Hama, was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 18, but with her love for life and her insistence on challenging cancer, she was healed and became a cancer survivor.

Julie did not lose hope when she was diagnosed with cancer.She chose to be the strongest she has ever been, so she shaved her head before starting the chemotherapy sessions because she had faith that her hair would grow back.

Julie said: I started my treatment in November 2022.At that time I was preparing for the exams of secondary school.The treatment consisted of weekly visits to doctors.When I began the chemotherapy, I had to travel to Damascus to Al Bayrouni Hospital to take the chemotherapy session and return to Hama on the same day to sit my exam the following day, and this required a lot of effort.

I studied hard despite my pain. I passed my exams during the period of treatment, and that was an achievement which led to me being invited by  First Lady Asmaa Al Assad to a ceremony honoring the top students in high school.

My first support was my family who gave me strength to go on and reassured me that this phase would pass.

I cannot forget my friends who gave generously from their time to help with my ongoing effort.

She added : I was sure that cancer was a test of faith from God and I had a constant feeling that God would compensate me for every moment of pain I  experienced.

My goal was to survive and to reach full recovery to prove that nothing is impossible as long as you have hope and will. Life is beautiful and worth fighting for.

I hope my experience will serve as inspiration for those who are facing and challenging cancer.

Souha Sulieman