MCCOLL— Julez’Leigh, or JuJu as she is affectionately known, was welcomed home to McColl from Columbia Friday as she continues to fight Ependymoma, a condition the Mayo Clinic describes as a “primary central nervous system (CNS) tumor that originates in the brain or spinal cord, specifically from ependymal cells that line the ventricles and spinal canal, which carry cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) to protect and cushion the CNS.”
According to social media posts made by JuJu’s mom Linsey Perkins, the three-year-old, who has a brighter personality than the sun, has been receiving medical care at Prisma while her family stayed nearby at the Ronald McDonald House in Columbia. She says the family first learned of JuJu’s condition after the girl suffered from a double ear infection, followed by a very scary seizure. When the little girl suddenly stopped walking, her mother says that is when they knew something more serious had to be going on. Her concerns led JuJu’s mom to fight for answers, taking her to a neurologist who discovered an 11 cm brain mass that was later diagnosed as an ependymoma.
After her diagnosis, JuJu went through four brain surgeries, a brain bleed, and 20 days in the ICU. Her mother wrote that since May 19, 2026, she has only been out of the hospital for 14 days. She has been receiving radiation treatment five days a week for seven weeks at Prisma in Columbia, her mother shared.
Once the alert went out that JuJu and her family were on their way home, organizers Jessica Harrington, Paula White and Lynn Kubas went to work inviting Marlboro County’s first responders, State Representative Jason Luck, McColl Council members and also tried to get the word out to everyone who wished to be present for little JuJu’s homecoming celebration.
Reflecting on the celebration, McColl Mayor Robert Outlaw said, “In a time of need I know I would not want to be anywhere but McColl.”
Also present for the little girl’s homecoming was McColl Mayor Pro Tem and Councilman Brian Blue. He said, “One thing I can say about our town, is that in a time of need we all know how to come together to show love, support, and to offer prayer.”
McColl Councilman Gerald Locklear said he could not attend her homecoming but was able to stop by later. After the homecoming celebration, attendees gathered at the cross in town to pray for JuJu and her family.
While Locklear was present, he witnessed a harrowing scene when an EMS worker suddenly suffered a medical emergency, causing him to crash the truck he was driving into a civilian’s car.
He said, “Many local churches were represented. With county and town emergency services and citizens from around the county. Which started as a show of support and solidarity for a little girl and her family, quickly turned into a prayer vigil for a fallen EMS worker. Many in attendance described it as a miracle or divine intervention. In the middle of the celebration, tragedy struck along with lightning, thunder, and rain. During the unexpected storm, the town came together as various pastors led the makeshift congregation into a prayer circle while coworkers fought to save one of their own. It appeared as if baby JuJu brought everyone together to the place where they were all supposed to be.”
Fortunately, the EMS worker recovered, and little JuJu’s homecoming celebration continued with pink balloons, signs and prayers.
Speaking on behalf of the Marlboro County Sheriff’s Office, Chief Deputy Larry Turner said it meant a lot to his brothers and sisters in blue to be able to come out and show support for one of McColl’s youngest residents.
“We were honored by the opportunity to give back, even in a small way. As members of law enforcement, we see a majority of bad and it can be hard to prepare yourself, but when we are given the opportunity to bless someone like JuJu and her family, it is truly an honor— a reminder that this county is a tight knit family who has got each other when times are tough. The Sheriff’s Office was invited, but any recognition belongs with the organizers and all those who gave of their time to stand out in the rain and welcome that beautiful little girl home,” Turner said.
Chief Sammy Crosland says the Bennettsville Police Department has also been touched by little JuJu’s fighting spirit.
He said, “There are moments in life when words simply do not seem enough to express the love, concern and compassion we feel for someone facing such a difficult journey. Today, the hearts and prayers of the entire staff of the Bennettsville Police Department are with JuJu, a precious 3-year-old little girl whose strength and courage has touched the hearts of so many.” He continued, “JuJu, we want you to know that you are loved, you are cared for, and you are being lifted up in prayer. We pray that God’s loving arms will surround you and that His healing power will cover you from the top of your head to the soles of your feet. We pray that you feel His presence, His peace, and His comfort each and every moment. To JuJu’s family, please know that you are not alone during this difficult time. We pray that God will give you strength when you feel weak, peace when your hearts are heavy, and comfort when the tears come. May He surround your family with love and provide you with the courage and strength needed to face each moment together. We may not understand why some things happen in our lives, but we trust in a God who is greater than our understanding. We continue to believe in His goodness, His mercy, and His healing power.”
Speaking for his department, Chief Crosland added, “We ask God to watch over JuJu, hold her close and give her and her family the peace that surpasses all understanding. Our sincere and heartfelt prayers are extended to JuJu and her entire family during this difficult time period. May God’s healing power cover this precious little girl, may His presence bring comfort to her family and may they feel the love and prayers of everyone standing beside them. Keep fighting, sweet JuJu. You are loved. You are prayed for. You are never alone.”
Anyone who would like to donate to JuJu and her family can do so through a toy drop-off at the McColl Town Hall, or if wishing to make a monetary donation to assist JuJu and her family with rising medical costs, can do so on the “Support JuJu Through Brain Cancer Treatment” gofundme.