Joe's Fight Against Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

In early March, Joe was your average 3rd grader. He loved video games, the WWE, and hanging out with his friends and family. And then, in an instant, everything changed. A lingering illness turned out to be Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (or ALL). Cancer. The words no parent ever wants to hear. Treatment for ALL is typically a minimum of three years. As you can imagine, even with insurance, the medical expenses alone over that time add up quickly. But when you consider the incidentals such as gas to and from the many appointments, food costs (especially when Joe has one of his many hospital stays), and just the logistics of attempting to maintain a two income family when you have a child who is unable to attend school on a regular basis, the costs become astronomical. And then, there are the completely unexpected expenses... For the past few months, Joe has been receiving treatments locally. But recently, he was taken off the standard protocol of treatment, and traveled to the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) to be considered for a clinical trial involving CAR-T cell therapy .  While this new treatment offers great hope, it requires follow-up travel to Philadelphia and a minimum stay of six weeks. On August 12th, Joe and his mom will return to Philadelphia to begin his new course of treatment. This is the day when he should be starting 4th grade with his buddies. Instead, this will be a different kind of First Day. The first day of the treatment that will help him to beat ALL. Our hope with this fundraiser is two-fold. Initially, we hope to be able to assist Joe and his family with their immediate need of funding for their travel to and stay in Philadelphia while he receives treatment. And secondly, we hope to raise enough to continue to help Joe and his family through the upcoming years of follow up treatment and related expenses. Joe's circumstances may have changed over the last four months, but he is still your average kid in so many ways. Still loves video games, the WWE, and hanging out with his friends and family. But he has earned his way to being so much more than your Average Joe. He is a Fighter. And we are #joestrong.