Through the Lens 2026

Please consider making a donation in support of my participation in Ann's Place's Through the Lens reception. Your generosity helps Ann's Place provide hope, support, and compassionate care to individuals and families whose lives have been impacted by cancer.

Ann's Place exists to ensure that no one has to face cancer alone. Looking back, I only wish I had known about this incredible organization during my own cancer journey.

My name is Megan Julian, and shortly after my 23rd birthday, in January of 2023, my life changed forever when I was diagnosed with  Stage IV anapestic Large Cell Lymphoma.

At the time, I had just graduated from college and begun my career as a multimedia journalist. I was excited to start the next chapter of my life, but instead, everything came to a sudden halt. What I thought was a pulled muscle turned out to be a tumor growing in my groin. My mobility became limited, I was overwhelmingly fatigued. 

As my journey continued, I stopped working, endured months of chemotherapy and immunotherapy, lost all of my hair, and faced the physical and emotional challenges that come with a life-changing cancer diagnosis. While surviving cancer was one battle I am incredibly grateful to have won, learning how to rebuild my life afterward became another.

Today, one of my greatest passions is raising awareness for young adults cancer patients and the journey of survivorship. There is so much focus on getting through treatment, yet very little conversation about what comes next. 

Survivorship isn't just about being cancer-free—it's about learning how to live again.

I've learned that it's okay to experience both the light and the darkness throughout the journey. Some days are filled with hope, while others are incredibly difficult, and sometimes those emotions exist side by side. Healing isn't linear, every emotion is valid, and giving yourself grace is one of the most important parts of the process.

Today, I am incredibly grateful to be a three-year cancer survivor. Although the fear of recurrence never completely disappears, I've learned that fear doesn't have to define my life. Instead, it has taught me to embrace each day with gratitude, purpose, and a deeper appreciation for the people I love. My hope is that by sharing my story, others will realize that life after cancer is possible. It may look different than before, but it can still be filled with hope, joy, and beautiful new beginnings.

Looking back, I often think about how different my own journey could have been if I had found Ann's Place. Cancer doesn't just affect the person diagnosed—it impacts entire families. Ann's Place provides professional counseling, support groups, wellness programs, educational resources, and a compassionate community where individuals and families can find strength, healing, and hope. Their services are offered free of charge, ensuring that everyone has access to support, regardless of their circumstances.

Whether someone is newly diagnosed, going through treatment, adjusting to survivorship, living with advanced cancer, or grieving the loss of a loved one, Ann's Place walks beside them every step of the way, reminding them that they are never alone.

That is why supporting Ann's Place has become so important to me. Every donation helps provide hope, healing, and meaningful support to local families facing cancer. If my story can inspire even one person to ask for help, find hope, or believe in life after cancer, then sharing it is worth every vulnerable moment.

Thank you for supporting not only my journey, but the journeys of so many others who deserve to know they never have to face cancer alone.

Message form Ann's place: 

Thank You for Supporting Our Models 

Thank you for supporting the models featured in Ann’s Place’s Through the Lens reception. Through photography, this event celebrates individuals whose stories reflect the experiences of many neighbors whose lives have been touched by cancer. 

Your donation directly supports local families by helping fund vital services for individuals and their loved ones as they navigate their cancer journeys. 

Join Us at the Reception 

We invite you to join us for an evening of community, connection, and celebration. Tickets available at AnnsPlace.org.  

• Date:September 24,2026 6pm
• Location:Heritage Hotel in Southbury, CT
• What to expect:View stunning photographs, meet the models and photographers, connect with other Ann’s Place supporters, and enjoytastings from local restaurants. Cash bar.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit: Through The Lens