PASADENA – Rose Bowl Aquatics head coach and former national team member Jeff Julian announced via Facebook message Wednesday that he is battling lung cancer.
“Dear Friends, Family and Loved Ones, My world has been rocked today and while I normally try not to post personal things up on social media much, I wanted to post this up for anyone who would like to know as I go through this process. I received the news today that I have lung cancer. While this shook me to my core at first, I am now ready to fight with everything I have to get through this and come out of it stronger than ever before.
You have all been a part of my life in one way or another, so I wanted to share this with you one time, before I put my head down and get ready to kick some ass.”
Julian has been the head coach at Rose Bowl for six years, continuing the team’s tradition of excellence at the junior national level. While his message did not indicate that he will be stepping away from coaching during his cancer fight, the journey to remission will take a lot of time and energy.
He also announced that he is setting up a CaringBridge website, where he will update his progress through this fight. From his Facebook post:
A CaringBridge Site was created for Jeff Julian. We will use this online space to share health news, and you can write messages of encouragement in return. Please visit often to keep updated and show your support.
Visit:
Site Link: www.caringbridge.org/visit/jeffjulianSite Name: jeffjulian
Please know that the “Tribute” box with donations is for the website itself (CaringBridge) and not a donation for us or anything like that. We will update the Journal throughout the process and if you would like to write anything, please just use the guestbook so you do not need to donate anything if you don’t want to support the CaringBridge site itself.
Julian swam for Mark Schubert in the 1990s at the University of Southern California, placing as high as second in the 200 butterfly in 1997. He also competed in the 200 fly at the Olympic Trials in 2000 and was a U.S. Open champion.
He is married to 1996 Olympian Kristine Quance, and they have a son, Trenton.
Thank you Swimming World for the support and thank you to all those in the swimming world that have reached out. This sport has been our (my wife and I) passion for our entire lives and the support it has shown back now is incredible.
It’s has been my privilege and honor to lead Rose Bowl Aquatics for the past 10 years, and with the help of the incredible coaches we have had along the way, bring Rose Bowl to heights and growth in which it has never seen. I plan to be on deck as much as I possibly can during this fight, as this passion runs deep and with the support of my incredible wife and amazing coaching friends who will step on deck to coach when I need it, we do not plan to slow our process down at all.
Thank you all. Sincerely.
Jeff
Praying for you
Sorry to hear the news Jeff. I met you in Flagstaff over the summer when I was there with my team from Texas. You will be in my prayers and best wishes moving forward.
I just want you to know that i was dx with advance stage LC in February 2012..I was in treatment for 9 months and have been NED since then. This can be beat..there are many of us out there telling similar stories. Thousands of us and more every day. Like you i was very healthy and that is in your favor..
So we fight and it just makes us stronger. You WILL BEAT this thing.
All the best,
Definitely praying and cheering! We got your back Bro!