Elmhurst teen's struggle with cystic fibrosis now a film

Chicago Tribune | Annemarie Mannion

Local movie theater to screen documentary about a hometown hero

Photo: Filmmaker Giancarlo Iannotta says Julie D’Agostino, who has cystic fibrosis and received a double lung transplant, has remained upbeat despite her health problems. He would like his film about her to appear on TV. (Andrew A. Nelles, Chicago Tribune / July 5, 2012)

While awaiting a lung transplant, Julie D'Agostino starred in her high school's production of "Hairspray." It's one of the things that made the teen so well-known in her hometown of Elmhurst, where people are familiar with her battle against cystic fibrosis and her family's efforts to raise money for research and awareness of the life-threatening disease.

On Monday, the 19-year-old will star in her own story when it premieres on the big screen at the York Theatre in Elmhurst.

The 40-minute film "Miracle on South Street: The Julie D Story" tells how Julie has been fighting the inherited disease that affects the lungs and digestive system, causing the body to produce a thick, sticky mucus that clogs lungs, makes it difficult to breathe and leads to lung infections.

The documentary-style film was directed by Giancarlo Iannotta, who grew up near D'Agostino in Elmhurst and was there when she returned home after receiving a double lung transplant in October.

Read more: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/suburbs/elmhurst/ct-met-julie-07-06-20120706,0,449458.story