Support Joel's Healing Journey

"Joyful Joel" and "Everybody Loves Joel" pretty much describe this dude in a nutshell. Now we can call him something even more special; a zebra.

We are Joel's friends and family. Recently, he went in for a colonoscopy to get to the bottom of some bleeding issues at only 35 years old. Dr. Sarge in Grand Junction, CO removed a few polyps but found a rare cancer in the terminal ileum. Neuroendocrine tumors, or NETs, are extremely rare and usually detection is difficult... that's exactly what this was. We are so grateful he found it at Stage 1!

Dr. O'Dell performed a right hemicolectomy, a surgery that removed his ascending colon, appendix, part of his transverse colon, and 10 cm of his small intestine. The healing process is long. Therefore, we ask for your help.

Joel was fired from his job at GHO while in post-surgery recovery. This was not his career, but a source of a bit of income while in school for a BS in Exercise Science and ultimately a Doctorate in Physical Therapy. I guess him not taking a shift or two really affected this retail store. He also works in the Monfort Human Performance Lab at Colorado Mesa University. Of course, school is out right now, so there is no income from that source.

Joel has applied for Physical Therapy school and is awaiting their response. He has worked hard to get where he is now. As President of the Exercise Physiology Research Club, a volunteer with disabled veterans, and an avid mentor in the rock climbing community, he has built a life on the Western Slope since 2013.

With no income and bills piling up, it's near impossible to survive. We are doing what we can, but we need your help. He is trying to sell his 2011 Nissan truck but hasn't had any luck. He doesn't mind doing without, but having a roof over his head would be nice. His rental is a 350-square-ft apartment. Rent is $1050/month plus utilities. His truck payments with insurance run $591/month.

Joel just needs our help until he is strong enough to work again.

If you have frequented the Red Lion in Vail since October 2021, you know exactly who Joel is. "You got this!" is his hype for coworkers. He is that smiling bartender/server who tries to make everyone enjoy life.

Hoping he can get back there on weekends in a couple of months.

Let's do this! Even $15 would help. Let's get this guy the funds he needs to stay warm this winter while he heals. WE GOT THIS!