5-Year-Old from New Jersey Eleanor DeJulio Selected as 2025 National Ambassador of Hydrocephalus Awareness for Incurable Brain Condition

Annandale, NJ- Eleanor was born prematurely at just 24 weeks and weighed less than two pounds. She spent her first 149 days in the NICU. Eleanor acquired hydrocephalus due to a hemorrhage in the ventricles of her brain because of her extreme prematurity. She had her first brain surgery at 1 month of age involving the placement of an Ommaya reservoir. This temporary shunt enabled the NICU team to regularly draw cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and regulate pressure in her brain.

At 3 months old, Eleanor had grown sufficiently to permit the placement of a ‘permanent’ VP shunt. Despite having ongoing challenges and requiring physical, occupational and speech therapies, Eleanor is a very happy and healthy 5-year-old girl. She has always been a people person, and her smile is the first thing you’ll see and what you’ll remember about Eleanor.

Eleanor is an outgoing young girl. She loves school, music, books, wagon rides and playing with her siblings. Her favorite color is yellow.

Eleanor shares a special bond with her older cousin, Jessica. Jessica also has hydrocephalus. The DeJulio family has been supporting the PHF long before Eleanor was born.

Eleanor’s parents Katie & Richard add that “Eleanor is a fighter and has been since she took her first breaths. We’ve been blessed with so many wonderful people on Eleanor’s “team” from doctors, nurses, therapists, teachers, family, friends and the PHF.

This organization is fighting for her and all other children that are facing the uncertainty of Hydrocephalus. We couldn’t be more excited for Eleanor to be the 2025 ambassador.”

Eleanor will be featured in advertising campaigns & promotional materials for Hydrocephalus Awareness as we head towards “National Hydrocephalus Awareness Month” in September.