06/03/2026
Hello DDC & NC Dance Families…..it is with heavy hearts that we post this; however, important that we continue to share messages of hope for a dear family. One of our DDC Alumni, Julianna Nefflen, sadly lost her sister just last week. Tori, as she was known to most of us, was also an NC Dancer for many years. She courageously battled for six-years with Myelofibrosis, MDS, and later leukemia- a set of 3 aggressive blood cancers. Tori graduated from the University of Maryland, started a bone marrow registry drive with the National Marrow Donor Registry, worked for a Baltimore, Maryland based non-profit organization (So What Else), served on the patient advisory council at Johns Hopkins, and continued to advocate & use her voice to fight for equity & inclusion. She was always a beacon of hope, inspiring everyone who knew her.
Anyone who knew Julianna (“Jeff”), her mom Katie, & sister Tori, remembers their sense of humor, keen intelligence, helpful nature, & pure, gentle kindness. I ask that you keep the Nefflen family close to your hearts today, and if you find it appropriate, check out Tori’s Go Fund Me page. The family is accepting donations, so they can continue to help with final medical expenses and donate to the causes that Tori advocated so hard.
For more information, please see the links below. Thank you Dynamite and NC Dance Families for continuing to support one of “us.”
https://www.gofundme.com/f/celebrating-victorias-life-and-impact
https://www.prittsfuneralhome.com/obituaries/Victoria-Leigh-Tori-Nefflen?obId=48562210 #/obituaryInfo
