Jurnee, also known as “Nikki” aka “Fat Girl” was an absolutely gorgeous human being inside out with a radiant smile and a unique spunk for life. Although she had a sailor's mouth, a love for horror movies, and an affinity for shock value, she was also incredibly quick witted and had a gift for making people laugh (often without cracking so much as a smile herself!)
She loved her mom & brothers fiercely, and was a loyal friend and girlfriend.
Jurnee was diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma with tumor compression in one hip in February of 2015. After almost a year where she underwent intensive treatments including radiation, surgery, and chemotherapies and achieved remission, she relapsed with a diagnosis of treatment related Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in May of 2017. Jurnee fought bravely through immense obstacles - one after another, refusing to accept defeat, never losing hope. “I’m Jurnee, Don’t Stop Believing” she jokingly quipped in one interview for her make-a-wish...only we knew she wasn’t kidding!
Jurnee lived colorfully as evidenced by her myriad of wigs in every color, and was always up for shenanigans. Whether they be selfies when the clock struck a certain time (if you know, you know!), designing window paintings to decorate her hospital room, eating grape snow cones, binge watching Bob’s Burgers, singing karaoke or jamming to some good music. She was always up for a good time. She loved her snack foods and always had a stash of treats in her room which she insisted on spoiling her favorite nurses and therapists with every time they left her room. She lived big and loved even bigger. For every time she made us laugh saying something funny, she was also making us roll our eyes with a snarky remark, and then making us cry a few days later by doing something sweet. She was as sassy as they come, but that grit is what made her so strong and resilient. A FIGHTER.
She was such a vibrant soul, it feels impossible to limit her personality to just a few lines in a few paragraphs, and it isn’t fair that we have to try. Jurnee’s story on this side of heaven ended on August 18th, 2018, when she was 21 years old.
Jurnee would give us a hard time for writing this sappy synopsis about her and what a stunning light she was to so many, but she really did teach us so much about life and love and hope.
It’s because of her we need your help putting and end to childhood cancer! Please consider donating for Jurnee and kids like her!
