Student with rare cancer records track with composer

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 24 Oct, 08:20 · Archive

A 24-year-old Colombian student in Sydney diagnosed with a rare cancer has recorded music with an acclaimed Australian composer.

Julio Villamil, a 24-year-old Colombian student, arrived in Sydney to study English but was diagnosed with desmoplastic small round cell tumour a year later. The cancer is so rare that only around 200 people worldwide are known to have it. Learning of the diagnosis alone without family or friends in Australia, Villamil began treatment in the country.

His story has drawn widespread attention, featuring on television in South America and prompting a GoFundMe campaign. The fundraising effort raised enough money to bring his parents and siblings from Colombia to Sydney. Villamil is now living in palliative care at the Chris O'Brien LifeHouse.

While at the facility, he was introduced to the HammondCare LifeStories program, which creates music to honour and celebrate the lives of people in palliative care. The program, launched in 2023, has created more than 250 stories for patients. Villamil collaborated with Stephen Rae, an acclaimed Australian composer whose work has appeared in productions including Love My Way, Puberty Blues, Gallipoli and Howzat. Together they created a series of songs about Villamil's life.

How it is being reported

• Student with rare cancer records moving track with acclaimed Australian composerFacing a cancer so rare only 200 people worldwide have it, a 24-year-old student has turned his final chapter into a message of hope through music.The West Australian · 24 Oct, 07:50
• Student with rare cancer records moving track with acclaimed Australian composerFacing a cancer so rare only 200 people worldwide have it, a 24-year-old student has turned his final chapter into a message of hope through music.Perth Now · 24 Oct, 07:50

In this story: Julio Villamil · Stephen Rae · HammondCare LifeStories · Chris O'Brien LifeHouse · Sydney · Colombia

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