Brevard Cancer Survivors Julie Spurlock and Jessica Bernstein Inspire Hope on Cancer Survivors Day
By Steve Wilson and Lisa Nicholas // June 7, 2026
Cancer Survivors Day honors the incredible resilience required to navigate this profound health journey
National Cancer Survivors Day will be observed globally on Sunday, June 7, marking a powerful “Celebration of Life” for millions who have faced a cancer diagnosis. Julie Spurlock, above left, and Jessica Bernstein, both from Brevard County, are cancer survivors and currently work in the medical field.
BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – National Cancer Survivors Day will be observed globally on Sunday, June 7, marking a powerful “Celebration of Life” for millions who have faced a cancer diagnosis.
This 39th annual event serves as an inspiration for the newly diagnosed, a collective gathering of support for families, and a worldwide outreach effort to address the long-term realities of survivorship.
According to the National Cancer Survivors Day Foundation, a survivor is anyone living with a history of cancer—from the moment of diagnosis through the remainder of life.
With tens of millions of cancer survivors worldwide, the day honors the incredible resilience required to navigate this profound health journey.
There are very few of us, if any, who do not know someone who has battled cancer. My list, like most of yours, is probably way too long.
But today, I want to talk about two cancer survivors that I have gotten to know, Julie Spurlock and Jessica Bernstein.
Spurlock, a Merritt Island native, was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia at age 13 and battled cancer successfully for approximately two-and-a-half years, only to have it return after a one-year absence.
With the same grit and determination she showed during her first bout, Spurlock, once again, defeated cancer. Her teenage years were consumed by this dreadful disease.
Spurlock never gave up on life. She recently graduated from Eastern Florida State College with her Associate of Science degree in Radiography. After passing her state exam, Spurlock is now a Registered Technologist.
I asked Spurlock for her thoughts as National Cancer Survivors Day approached. She told me, “My battle with childhood cancer was one of the toughest parts of my life.
Through countless chemotherapy treatments and hospital stays, I fortunately made it out the other side.
Now coming up on eight years cancer-free, I’ve never felt more grateful for the life I have now.
Being a survivor gives you a whole different perspective on life and how each and every day is a blessing. That experience gave me so much strength and appreciation for moments people often take for granted.”
Bernstein is also a very special young lady. When we met, her name was Jessica Maxwell. She has since married.
While a student at Rockledge High School, Bernstein was the Battalion Commander of the JROTC program. After being diagnosed with cancer at age 17, her plans for a military career were derailed. Cancer ultimately took away her right arm, but it did not extinguish her spirit.
Bernstein was, at one time, former Port Canaveral Commissioner Robyn Hattaway’s first Port Ambassador appointment.
At age 18, she was the youngest person to serve as a delegate for the CPA Board of Commissioners.
I asked Bernstein about her battle with cancer, and she told me, “I was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a journey that challenged me in ways I never expected.
Today, I am proud to be five years cancer-free. I will forever be grateful for my incredible family and friends who stood by me for all the good days and bad days.”
Bernstein is very active and currently keeps busy with work, school, and married life!
I don’t think it is a coincidence that both Spurlock and Bernstein now work in the medical field. During their battle with cancer, they both spent a great deal of time with healthcare practitioners and saw, firsthand, the need for patient care.
Julie Spurlock and Jessica Bernstein are two young ladies whom I am proud to call friends. Young people never cease to amaze me when they are pushed to the limits, as were Spurlock and Bernstein.
I greatly admire both. Julie and Jessica – thank you for being such an inspiration to me and to countless others.
During this time, we also want to never forget those who we have lost to cancer. I mentioned earlier that Julie never gave up on life.
Well, I know three little girls from Brevard County who did not give up during their battle either; they just ran out of time. God Bless Brittany Marie Beyel, Olivia Owens, and Vivian Sleeth.
Article sponsored by Erdman Automotive and Craig Technologies.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Steve Wilson was born in DeRidder, Louisiana, and grew up in both New Orleans and Macon, Georgia. He moved to Brevard County in 1984 and retired from local government as the Community Advocate/Assistant to the City Manager with the City of Rockledge in 2018.
Among the awards and accolades Steve has received over the years are 15 + year Rockledge Little League volunteer, Brevard Public School Jefferson Award Recipient, Rockledge High School Raider Booster Award 2001, 2006, City of Rockledge Employee of the Year 2006, Rockledge Kiwanian of the Year 2006-2007, City of Rockledge Quality Public Service Award 2008, 2012, 2017, Rockledge Kiwanis Citizen of the Year 2012-2013, Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame – Sportscasting 2015, Rockledge High School Leadership and Service Award 2016, Central Florida Humanitarian Award 2017, Space Coast Inspiration Award – 2018, Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame – Lifetime Achievement – 2020, Ecofest Achievement Award – 2022, Quality Floridian Award – 2022, presented by U.S. Congressman Bill Posey, Florida House District 32 Constituent of the Week 4/20/25.
Wilson is especially proud of chairing two fundraisers in support of pediatric cancer research through the St. Baldrick’s Foundation in honor of Merritt Island resident Julie Spurlock that raised over $25,000.00.
He has been a partner, along with Orville Susong, for the past 26 years with the Friday Night Locker Room, a broadcasting team that covers and reports on a wide variety of local events significant to the residents of the Space Coast and beyond. Their mission is to promote youth sports, support first responders and law enforcement personnel, and showcase community and charitable events that are produced by our nonprofit partners in central Florida.
The Friday Night Locker Room has awarded hundreds of sports achievement plaques to Brevard County student-athletes over the years. They have also awarded more than $18,000 in academic scholarships to Brevard County high school seniors.
