In October of 2017, Jules Laurita Smith was diagnosed with a glioblastoma brain tumor. Jules endured so much since then: Surgery to remove most of the tumor, radiation, chemotherapy, alternative therapies, experimental trials, horrific side effects from the treatment, and countless hospitalizations.www.caringbridge.org/visit/juleslaurita

The last 16 months have been a living hell for the Laurita-Smiths, but Jules remained a source of sweetness and light throughout. She was a singular inspiration and in rare moments of relative wellness, Jules eloquently, publicly, shared her story. Like others confronting kids cancer, Jules and her family were and are reluctant superheroes who have been faced with an endless series of awful scenarios and impossible decisions. They met each with hope, fear, courage, and often, regret: A continuous, nightmarish, feedback loop. This extraordinary family loved their girl fiercely and fought for her life, fiercely.

Jules suffered as her body struggled to hold up against the onslaught of cancer + treatment. She experienced a blessed period of respite a couple months ago where she started to regain her strength and sense of self. A welcome, beautiful deep breath of Jules before a horrible, precipitous, heartbreaking decline the past 6 weeks.  Julietta Luna Natalia Laurita Smith passed away Monday March 4th. As Jules transitions from one world to the next, her family continues to need our collective prayers, love and support. www.gofundme.com/juleslauritasmith

Eli has been asked to say a few words about Jules at St. Baldricks. Please feel free to Join us at 3:30pm on March 14th at Boulder High School!