Once a cancer patient, now a nurse helping local kids exactly like her

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A Birmingham native, Julianne Evers found her dream job as a Registered Nurse at Children’s of Alabama after graduating from Auburn University. However, this wasn’t her first time at Children’s.

As a childhood cancer survivor, Julianne owes a lot of her journey to the staff of nurses who inspired her to follow the same path.

We spoke with Julianne to learn more about her story and how she ended up at Children’s of Alabama.

Coming to Children’s of Alabama in 2009

In early 2009, Julianne noticed a sore bump on her body, but didn’t think anything of it. A few months later while at a check-up, Julianne’s family brought up the bump. Her pediatrician felt it and immediately advised her mom to get Julianne an MRI.

“The MRI confirmed that the lump I felt was a cancerous tumor. About a week later, I had surgery to remove the tumor, as well as biopsies of spots in my lungs, bone marrow and a chemotherapy port was placed. Thank goodness, the spots in my lungs were benign, and my bone marrow was clear.

Shortly after surgery, I began my treatment journey, which consisted of 14 rounds of chemotherapy and 28 days of radiation. I was inpatient for all of my chemotherapy, so I spent SO much time in the hospital and with my nurses on the cancer unit.”

Julianne Evers, Registered Nurse, Children’s of Alabama

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. See the resources Children’s of Alabama provides for families like Julianne’s.

Finding her way back to Children’s of Alabama

Julianne loved her nurses on her floor so much that she wanted to grow up to be just like them.

“Whenever I was bored and watched all the Disney Channel my parents could handle, I walked the halls and hung out with my nurses.

They were so kind to me and my family, and I thought they were the coolest people ever. Naturally, I wanted to be just like them!

I remembered that some of my nurses had cancer when they were children, and it was the best encouragement while I was going through treatment. I wanted to encourage other kids and show them that there is hope after a pediatric cancer diagnosis.”

Julianne Evers, Registered Nurse, Children’s of Alabama

Julianne started her job at Children’s of Alabama in 2021, where she works on the hematology/oncology and bone marrow transplant unit, and takes care of children going through cancer treatment and who have blood disorders like sickle cell disease, hemophilia and more. 

Julianne isn’t the first to tell me about how amazing the nurses are at Children’s of Alabama. With supportive staff, it’s easy for the patients in and out of the hospital to feel like part of the family.

“Coming back to Children’s means everything to me! It has been so meaningful to give back to the place that saved my life and supported my family in 2009.

I look forward to continuing to give back for the years to come!”

Learn more about Children’s of Alabama’s services and how they support families with sick children.

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