Julio is a US Navy veteran who was diagnosed with grade 3 anaplastic Ependymoma in 2018 at the age of 34. After his first craniotomy at UCSF and radiation, life returned mostly to normal until his recurrence in 2020. Since his recurrence, Julio has navigated seemingly endless hurdles from difficulties with speech and mobility to seizures and lack of treatment options, but his spirit (and big smile) shine through those challenges. Julio has leaned in to the brain tumor community, including support groups like Head for the Cure’s Patient Perspectives and UCSF’s Young Adult Brain Tumor Support Group and Thrivers peer support program. Julio is always willing to share his story to advocate for the brain tumor community and hopefully help other survivors along the way. An avid former runner, Julio has embraced physical therapy with the ultimate goal of running again one day, maybe you will catch him running at next year’s event!