In June 2009, ovarian cancer survivor Julia Ozburn will celebrate two years of being cancer free. It is a significant moment worthy of celebration – marking a ten-plus year journey – and it will be shared with family, friends and a large and growing number of fellow cancer patients and survivors who know Julia most for the way in which she has touched their lives.

The mother of a 15-year-old son and twin 11-year-old boys, Julia has emerged from her cancer diagnosis as a role model for positive thinking and the mutual benefits to be gained from "paying it forward."

For more than 10 years prior to her diagnosis, Julia says she had the feeling that, "something just wasn't right." But test after test revealed nothing – that is until she found her way to Dr. Mary Alice Harbison, an internist with Saint Thomas Health Services. One of Julia's primary messages to others is to trust your instincts and don't stay silent if you know in your heart that something isn't right.

"I was so fortunate to find an internist who would listen to me and who took my concerns seriously," said Julia. "We developed a relationship where she knew me and ultimately scheduled a blood test that revealed ovarian cancer."

Julia's internist immediately referred her to well-known Nashville GYN oncologist B. Stephens Dudley, M.D., who performed a total hysterectomy to remove a 10-pound tumor. Her cancer was aggressive and Dr. Dudley and his team responded in kind, utilizing some of the most advanced chemotherapy options to treat the then 42-year-old mother of three.

"It was a difficult time," says Julia, "but I had a wonderful oncologist. He and his staff were incredibly supportive and understanding as I was dealing with the pain and discomfort of chemotherapy."

Fortunately for Julia, she also had the support of more than 50 of her former classmates from the Harpeth Hall School for Girls in Nashville, as well as a large number of family and friends. "I had an incredible support system," she says, crediting them with giving her the emotional and physical strength to make it through the experience.

Julia also credits Dr. Dudley with encouraging her to get involved with the Saint Thomas Health Services cancer survivor support program, Seton Support Services, as a way to cope and heal. Julia quickly took her doctor's advice to heart and dove into the Seton Support Services programs with her whole heart.

For the past two years, Julia has taken an active role in sharing her story with others. Through Seton Support Services, she organized a knitting group that makes hats for cancer patients. Julia says that cancer patients will experience extreme discomfort from the cold, especially with hair loss. "The hats keep their heads warm," says Julia, "but the gesture of giving it to them warms their hearts."

She has also been instrumental in working with the Seton healing garden and works with cancer patients to show them how to grow healing foods such as kale and broccoli. She has taken an active role to work with Franklin Famers' Market to make locally grown organic foods more accessible and is working with Brentwood High School, Delvin Farms and Peaceful Pastures to introduce organic foods into the Brentwood community.

Throughout her work she strives to serve as a role model for her top priorities – her sons – and not losing sight of the importance of local farmers. The Ozburn family began farming in Williamson County in 1755. And she has just enrolled in the Master Gardner Program through the Cooperative Extension Services. Julia is a woman who practices what she preaches.

"I laugh with my doctor about what a blessing this whole experience has been," says Julia. "He has encouraged me to take a leadership role in Seton and it has empowered me to help others. It's helped me to not see cancer as a bad thing, but for the good it has brought into my life."