A 19-year-old Nordonia High School graduate and Ohio State University student died Dec. 4 from a rare blood disorder caused by the Epstein-Barr virus, according to a GoFundMe post by a family friend.
Cailin Joyce is being remembered as “a bright, joyful, faith-filled young woman” who was active in the community and the St. Barnabas Parish in Northfield Center. She also was a member of the Ohio State University’s Club Dance Team.
“Cailin lived life to the fullest and was a light to so many in her far too short life,” her obituary stated.
Visitation for Joyce is 3:30 to 8:30 p.m. Dec. 9 at St. Barnabas, 9451 Brandywine Road in Northfield Center.
Services will take place at 10 a.m. Dec. 10 at St. Barnabas Parish. Interment will follow the funeral at All Saints Cemetery, 480 W. Highland Road in Northfield Center. Ferfolia Funeral Home in Sagamore Hills is handling the arrangements.
Those attending the funeral are asked to wear pink or light colors, according to a social media post made by St. Barnabas Parish Family.
Who was Cailin Joyce?
Joyce’s family wrote in her obituary that she was the “best daughter a parent could wish for.”
“She lived her Catholic faith and shared it with many. Not by pushing, but by attracting them through her bright, bright light,” the obit read. “A saint among us, Cailin moved mountains with her fight and going ‘full out.’ The purest soul and loving sister to older brother Sean. Always supporting him in the stands and giving the biggest hugs. She is now a guardian angel to us.”
Jessica Archer, the principal of Nordonia High School, said Joyce “was beautiful inside and out. “
“She was the type of person the world needs more of,” Archer said. “She was gracious, kind, humble, considerate, talented and fun. She never got caught up in being popular, but that only made her even more well-liked amongst both staff and students. She was involved in many activities at Nordonia High School including cheerleading, student leadership, homecoming court and office aiding. She started the Nordonia tradition of Skippy the Elf as an office aide, something that brings joy to our building to this day. She was a bright light in our building and in the lives of all who knew her.”
Teen diagnosed with rare blood disorder in late October
According to the initial post on the GoFundMe page, which was created by twin sisters Lauren and Lindsay Fullerman on Oct. 25, Joyce was diagnosed with a rare blood disorder caused by the Epstein-Barr virus.
She was treated at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus.
“Due to the nature of the treatment, it has left her immune system compromised, her organs with extreme inflammation resulting in her body retaining a ton of fluid,” the Fullerman sisters posted before Joyce’s death. “Her mother, Terese, has been by her side every step of the way. During this time, Terese has rotated between living in a hotel and living out of the hospital room. As you can imagine, not only are medical bills starting to pile up, so is the cost of living away from home and taking time away from work to be with a sick teen.”
In an update made Dec. 4, the day Joyce died, Lauren Fullerman stated that Joyce was “a bright, joyful, faith-filled young woman whose presence touched so many.”
“In the past twenty-four hours, Cailin’s condition took a sudden and significant turn for the worse, and despite the extraordinary care she received and the many prayers lifted for her healing, she passed away peacefully, surrounded by love,” Lauren stated. “She will be remembered by the joy she brought to everyone she met. She lit up every room she walked in.”
What is Epstein-Barr virus?
EBV is “a very common viral infection that spreads through saliva and body fluids,” according to information from the Cleveland Clinic. In the U.S., an estimated 50% of all children up to 5 years of age and about 95% of adults experience an EBV infection in their lifetime.
Most cases of EBV don’t cause symptoms but sometimes, especially in adolescents and young adults, it can lead to infectious mononucleosis.
Although rare, EBV can cause certain types of cancer, including Burkitt lymphoma and nasopharyngeal cancer.
EBV also rarely can cause a life-threatening condition in which immune cells overreact, causing them to destroy blood cells and platelets, leading to fever, enlarged spleen and low blood counts.
Cailin Joyce was an active member at St. Barnabas Parish
St. Barnabas Parish Family made a Dec. 4 social media post announcing Joyce’s death.
“With sadness, we share that the beautiful Cailin Joyce has passed away,” the post stated. “We grieve her loss, yet rejoice that she is now held in the arms of Jesus. Please pray for the repose of her soul and keep her family in your prayers.”
The parish also shared a post showing how involved Joyce was with her church family.
“Just through looking at our page alone, you will find Cailin everywhere. Cailin Joyce has been such an incredible inspiration to all. Boldly leading others to Christ … lighting up every room she walked into … words cannot express the amount of gratitude we feel being able to have [known] her.”
Cailin Joyce was beloved member of OSU dance team
Ohio State University’s Club Dance Team stated in a social media post that the team “is devastated and deeply grieving this loss.”
“Cailin was the heartbeat of CDT,” the post stated. “She embodied everything that our team represented. She was kind, humble, determined, loyal and oh so funny. She danced with a fire behind her eyes and a passion that could move mountains. She made everyone around her better. Her full out love for life was contagious. Everyone that crossed paths with Cailin knew that she was special.”
Cailin Joyce GoFundMe, donations in her honor
Those wishing to make donations in Joyce’s name are encouraged to donate to Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio, rmhc-centralohio.org/donate, or Buckeye Catholic, buckeyecatholic.com/give-page.
A GoFundMe has been set up to help the family with medical and funeral expenses at gofundme.com/f/support-cailins-fight-against-rare-blood-disorder. As of the afternoon of Dec. 9, $85,091 of the $100,000 goal had been raised.
Reporter April Helms can be reached at ahelms@thebeaconjournal.com
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Nordonia High grad Cailin Joyce, 19, dies from rare blood disorder
Reporting by April Helms, Akron Beacon Journal / Akron Beacon Journal
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