Help Joe Heal

Hi there. My name is Jenna, I’d like to tell you about my best friend’s husband, Joe.

Joe and I met 15 years ago when he began dating my best friend. In the beginning, my relationship to Joe was simple: find out if he’s good enough to date Stacey. In the years that followed, I learned he absolutely was, and before I knew it my relationship to Joe changed to family. This is why what I’m going to share next is so close to my heart.

On April 4th, 2023, after days of the worst sore throat imaginable, Joe decided it was time to head to urgent care. Urgent Care took blood and performed a swab to confirm strep throat, but would not treat him because of his blood work results. They said he needed to go to the emergency department immediately. At the ER they took him back quickly because it was becoming increasingly difficult for him to breathe or swallow. A doctor came in and prepped to ‘pop & drain’ an abscess in the back of his throat. He assured Joe and Stacey that it was very common and Joe would be back to himself in a couple of days.

Two days later he was having difficulty swallowing again, but it wasn’t until he began to turn gray and become motionless that they returned to the same hospital. After blood work and a two-hour wait to be seen, a doctor finally came in and said, “I’m ordering for an emergency surgery, this abscess needs to be removed immediately because it’s blocking your airway. But that’s not the bad news. There’s no easy way to tell you this, we feel confident you have cancer.”

A sore throat turned strep throat, turned abscess, turned into an emergency transfer to the main hospital, turned into immediate surgery to remove a golf-ball-sized abscess from his tonsils, turned into a lymphadenectomy (surgically remove lymph nodes for biopsy), turned into four days in the oncology hospital for Easter and an official diagnosis of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL).

With this information, their greatest focus has become to help Joe heal. Joe is a stay-at-home dad to their four boys while he is in school for his Master’s Degree in Pastoral Counseling. He has spent 13+ years of marriage looking after and taking care of his family in every way imaginable and with excellence. Joe is in a position now where he is the one who needs to be taken care of.

The ability to fight cancer comes with a high cost; emotionally, physically, and also financially. One they’re grateful to have the chance to fight. As their best friend, I believe there is help. I believe there are people like you - whether you know Joe, Stacey, their kids or not - who will read this and decide that you have something to give.

Something, however small, would mean the world to this family. If you are lucky enough to know them, you’re already sure; their impact, intentionality and integrity has changed your life and I’m asking you to join in changing theirs.

If you choose to give, know that your money is more than a dollar amount. It's a seed planted in good soil. A seed of hope, love, strength, support, compassion, faith, and encouragement. Don’t underestimate the power of giving any amount. Anything you can give, no matter how big or small, will provide relief in a season of grief and unknowns. Joe & Stacey are wise and scrappy with their resources, nothing will go to waste- they know the value of a dollar.

Joe's needs will be continuously changing as he heals. Below are some immediate needs and next steps to see how funds will be used right away.

Most importantly, pray for Joe, Stacey, and their boys. Prayer is powerful. And please share, share, share this story so we can get the word out. Lastly, if you know the Hancocks don't be afraid to reach out. A simple phone call, encouraging note, kind email, hug, scripture, or check-in text is the thing they would love most.

It never stops taking a village. Together, let’s Help Joe Heal.