Spotlight Patient
March 22, 1982-January 27, 2009

Julie Werner was born on March 22, 1982. During a trip to Australia in 2004,
she developed symptoms she thought were related to a flu-like illness she obtained there. However, after she did not get better she was eventually diagnosed with gastroparesis and chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction.

On Oct. 25, 2008 Julie received four organs (small bowel, stomach, pancreas, large bowel) at the University of Miami. Although she did well the first few days after the transplant, her condition deteriorated rapidly and continued to do so. After a tough battle with respiratory problems, unexplained fevers, possible rejection, kidney problems, ongoing infections, and eventually septic shock, Julie passed away this morning, Jan. 27, 2009 at around 10:30 AM.

Julie became part of G-PACT in September of 2007. With a degree in communications and public relations from Michigan State, she was an incredible asset to our PR department. She always had a lot of ideas and shared them openly with me and the G-PACT board. She was in the process of creating an awareness kit for our organization, and put together a lot of information and ideas to help us reach out to media outlets. Not long before she left for Miami, she sent me all the information she had worked on so that we could continue in her absence. Because of her, we have an excellent resource of information that we are already using as we prepare for the DDNC in March.

Julie was passionate about G-PACT with a huge desire to return in full capacity upon recovery. Julie was an accomplished violinist and loved singing and anything to do with music. While ill she still played with a local orchestra and was their concert mistress. Prior to her transplant she was able to be part of a small group of musicians who performed the background music for a short film. She was a top fan of the Detroit Red Wings and loved Harry Potter! She sacrificially gave her time to G-PACT and faithfully attended scheduled board meetings, even when she was not feeling well.

Julie has had an impact on the lives of so many of you with GP and will be sorely missed. I personally am in a state of shock and completely devastated. Although I knew she was not doing well, I really felt like she would be able to pull through. Many of you have been following her progress for a long time. She was loved by many.