The Doug and Juli Perry Story
At just 17 and 18 years old, Doug and Juli were married on June 13, 1977. They went on to raise four wonderful children (Shauna, Ashley, Kristen, and Justin). As they approached 22 years of marriage and Juli’s 40th birthday, something happened that would alter their lives significantly. Juli was diagnosed with stage 3B breast cancer. Reflecting on that day, Doug says “I still very clearly remember the day and the moment the news was presented to us. It rocked my world.” As Juli battled breast cancer, Doug battled depression.
As both Doug and Juli learned to cope with this diagnosis in their own ways, a more fervent battle ensued to pursue life in a more full and meaningful way. Through years of experience, both Doug and Juli had learned that much of life’s greatest joys come from serving others. So Doug and Juli doubled down. Not only did they find joy and true happiness by serving others, they found joy in their own journey as they battled the trials of cancer.
They climbed mountains, ran marathons, hiked, biked and enjoyed meaningful time with their children. They even hiked Mt. Kilimanjaro. Juli loved Africa and the people there, especially the children. In addition to their adventures, they also started a non-profit foundation to assist others battling cancer.
In 2006, cancer returned for the second time. Juli, in the middle of chemo, bald, and not feeling at her best, raised money for cancer and completed the New York City marathon with Doug by her side. They loved the New York City marathon. Doug says “of all the marathons he has run, NYC is hands down the best.” The largest marathon in the world with a million spectators, running down streets and over bridges that if ran on any other day you would get run over by a taxi, that day was filled with hope and excitement with a determination to finish the race. They also learned that many of life’s most amazing and inspiring stories are found at the back of the pack. As they finished the marathon hand in hand, well after dark, they finished in the last 1% of all finishers.
In 2008, after Juli completed a triathlon, she felt pain in her leg. Further tests revealed that cancer had returned to her bones. As chemo once again continued, Juli focused more on swimming. In 2009, cancer spread to Juli’s brain. In October of 2009 a very large group of family and friends gathered together in support of Juli to walk the Avon walk for breast cancer. Juli was highlighted by a T.V. crew from a local news station who told Juli’s story. A pedicab was arranged for Juli to arrive in; However, true to form, Juli swore off the pedicab and walked the 3.1 miles unassisted and surrounded by those that loved her. It was the last time she was able to walk more than 100 steps.
In February 2010, after being nearly completely bedridden for over two months, she decided she wanted to go for a mile swim. Doug told her that it is not something she could do, Juli responded with “don’t tell me what I can and can’t do”. With a great deal of assistance Juli was helped to the car, and then to the pool where she swam several laps. It was Juli’s last time to leave the house. As it was with Juli’s entire journey, she would not let cancer define her. On her favorite shirt “Endurathon” is a quote from Winston Churchill “Never, never, never give up!”
On May 19, 2010, Juli triumphantly conquered her battle with cancer. She left a legacy that will forever be remembered and admired by family and friends. She is remembered for her courageous zeal for life, contagious laugh, and her love and assistance to others.
In 2017, Doug planned a return to New York City for the marathon with his amazingly supportive wife Kim and 15 family members. This time in a partnership to run the marathon with a charity called Shoe4Africa to help raise money for children in Kenya. Doug met the CEO and founder of Shoe4Africa, Toby Tanser, and a quick friendship and bond with Toby and his commitment to make a difference in the lives of African children was formed.
Then, in May 2019, Doug and Kim visited Toby in Eldoret, Kenya. They visited the Shoe4Africa children’s hospital, the first in all of sub-Saharan Africa built by Toby and supporters of Shoe4Africa. The hospital was completed and opened in 2015 and now serves over 400 patients everyday. Doug and Kim also visited 4 of 6 Shoe4Africa schools, which provide education to over 1600 students.
Toby shared with Doug a vision of a new children’s cancer hospital. Such a hospital would help save the lives of many children dying of cancer. Doug and Kim latched on to that vision by committing to donate a substantial portion of funds needed to build this hospital.
Today the construction of the Shoe4Africa Juli Anne Perry Children’s Hospital is well under way and through the process of working in Kenya has inspired Doug with his non profit Beyond The Mark Foundation to continue to serve the people in Kenya with other projects such as microloaning, humanitarian safari trips, and the porridge club. Through these efforts to make a positive impact in the lives of those we can, we know Juli is cheering us on.
