Welcome to the Official Website of The Julia Lyons Foundation
Welcome to the Official Website of The Julia Lyons Foundation
Our Mission
The Julia Lyons Foundation is driven by this mission: to lessen the hardships of people with CF, to lift up the CF community, and to proactively fight back against this disease – so that one day, no more tears will be shed over the devastating losses it inflicts.
How is The Julia Lyons Foundation Accomplishing its Mission?
The Julia Lyons Foundation – a not-for-profit organization – provides financial aid directly to those in the CF community who need it most. Cystic fibrosis is a very costly disease: continuous medical treatment and monitoring is required, and lung transplants are very expensive procedures. Also, individuals with CF must often move to an entirely different city so they can be close to a hospital with the right treatment resources. All of this adds up – and can place extreme hardships on both the person with CF and their family.
The Story Behind The Julia Lyons Foundation
In early August of this year – 2018 – The Julia Lyons Foundation was launched. For many years before, however, Emily Lyons dreamed of creating this foundation. To understand why, you need to hear the story of another Lyons – Julia Marlane Lyons.
Julia Marlane Lyons – who passed away in 2011 as a result of cystic fibrosis complications – was Emily’s beloved older sister.
Julia was only 27 when she passed away, but Emily is grateful for all the time she got to spend with her: “That’s more than two decades of memories with the best sister a girl could ever ask for,” Emily said in a feature for Cystic Fibrosis Canada.
Born in 1983, Julia was just an infant – only 4 months old – when she was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis (CF). Given this diagnosis at such a young age, no one could have known what to expect from this precious little girl – but then again, Julia always had a tendency to surpass expectations with the force of her unflinching spirit.
Emily remembers so much about Julia: her mischievous humor, her fierce intelligence, her kindness and empathy – and her incredible drive to understand everything about the disease she had been born with.
Julia would go on to receive two double lung transplants – costly, demanding procedures which bought her a little more time. But, ultimately, that terrible day came: her lung complications mounted, and she passed away on the first day of June, in 2011.
Julia left an indelible imprint in the hearts and minds of many – including her sister, Emily, who sees Julia as her greatest source of inspiration and motivation.
And for years, Emily privately vowed to herself that she’d do what she could to tackle CF – and help those burdened with the disease. So now, with the launch of The Julia Lyons Foundation – created in the memory of “the best sister a girl could ever ask for” – Emily is bringing that personal pledge to life.
The Story Behind The Julia Lyons Foundation
In early August of this year – 2018 – The Julia Lyons Foundation was launched. For many years before, however, Emily Lyons dreamed of creating this foundation. To understand why, you need to hear the story of another Lyons – Julia Marlane Lyons.
Julia Marlane Lyons – who passed away in 2011 as a result of cystic fibrosis complications – was Emily’s beloved older sister.
Julia was only 27 when she passed away, but Emily is grateful for all the time she got to spend with her: “That’s more than two decades of memories with the best sister a girl could ever ask for,” Emily said in a feature for Cystic Fibrosis Canada.
Born in 1983, Julia was just an infant – only 4 months old – when she was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis (CF). Given this diagnosis at such a young age, no one could have known what to expect from this precious little girl – but then again, Julia always had a tendency to surpass expectations with the force of her unflinching spirit.
Emily remembers so much about Julia: her mischievous humor, her fierce intelligence, her kindness and empathy – and her incredible drive to understand everything about the disease she had been born with.
Julia would go on to receive two double lung transplants – costly, demanding procedures which bought her a little more time. But, ultimately, that terrible day came: her lung complications mounted, and she passed away on the first day of June, in 2011.
Julia left an indelible imprint in the hearts and minds of many – including her sister, Emily, who sees Julia as her greatest source of inspiration and motivation.
And for years, Emily privately vowed to herself that she’d do what she could to tackle CF – and help those burdened with the disease. So now, with the launch of The Julia Lyons Foundation – created in the memory of “the best sister a girl could ever ask for” – Emily is bringing that personal pledge to life.
How You Can Help
Throughout their lives, people with CF encounter many adversities.
But they shouldn’t have to confront these challenges alone – without anyone’s help.
And – in big and small ways – most of us can do something to support and empower the CF community.
One way you can do this is by making a donation to The Julia Lyons Foundation.
Donate today and you’ll help make an incredible difference for individuals and families across Canada who are battling cystic fibrosis. We are grateful for your support of The Julia Lyons Foundation and everyone who’s taking cystic fibrosis head-on.