When Journee was only two years old, her father, Jerry, got a new position, which caused the family to relocate from Jackson, Mississippi, to Atlanta.
Before Jerry’s job change, Journee’s mom, Toya, was planning on starting nursing school, but she had to put her dream on hold to move with her family and support her husband’s career.
Only nine months after moving to Atlanta, a 3-year-old Journee began to get sick repeatedly and went back and forth between her pediatrician and urgent care. Around this time, Journee approached her mom, Toya, touched her clavicle, said, “Mommy, what’s this?” and pointed out a marble-sized mass within her lymph node.
During this confusing and scary time, Journee’s family received two non-cancer diagnoses. Journee did rounds of antibiotics, but she still cried off and on throughout the night from 2-6 a.m. with pain in both of her feet.
Finally, in May 2022, Toya took her to the emergency room. There, she tested positive for pneumonia, rhinovirus, and COVID-19. In addition, a chest x-ray was ordered, and it showed signs of cancer.
The family was devastated when Journee was diagnosed with Lymphoblastic Leukemia at only three years old. A fight to save Journee’s life started immediately.
Around the time of Journee’s diagnosis, Toya was once again planning on attending nursing school; however, for the second time, her dream was placed on hold so she could fight Journee’s cancer battle alongside her daughter.
Thankfully, Journee is through the treatment phase, and family life is returning to normal for this beautiful crew. Journee’s battle has inspired her to want to pursue a medical degree when she grows up so she can help other kiddos facing cancer.
When our friends at Atrium Health Floyd and Georgia Highlands College heard Journee’s story, they knew they wanted to do something huge to help Journee and her precious mom, Toya, pursue their dreams!
Atrium Health Floyd generously awarded Toya free tuition to Georgia Highlands College so that she could fulfill her dream of becoming a nurse! In addition to covering the cost of nursing school, they gifted her with scrubs, textbooks, and any materials needed for class and clinicals. We are so grateful that she can zealously pursue her career without worrying about expenses!
However, that was not all! They wanted to do something special for brave Journee!
Atrium Health Floyd, in conjunction with Georgia Highlands College, created an account so Journee can take up to 4 years of prerequisites for medical school at Georgia Highlands College.
We are so happy for deserving Journee and Toya! Thank you so much Atrium Health Floyd and Georgia Highlands College, for changing both of their lives!
