Support Joy Marquardt's Healing Journey

Hi everyone, this is Sarah Dascenzo, Joy's aunt. With great hope, I am starting this GoFundMe to help support my sister and brother-in-law, Amy and Michael Marquardt.

On September 21, 2024, their 19-year-old daughter Joy was taken to the ER for stomach pain. After many tests and draining her abdomen multiple times, Joy was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma on September 26. A port was put in, and she began chemo treatments on September 27. Michael and Amy have been at the hospital the whole time. As you could imagine, this week has been challenging and an utter shock to everyone.

Although this news has been heartbreaking, we know Joy is a strong fighter. Even after her first treatment of chemo, she was clear that only joyful attitudes can be in her room. We appreciate everyone's compassion and help during these past 10 days. We know the road ahead will be tough. Joy will be in the hospital for at least three weeks this first round, from when she came to the ER to when she will be discharged the first time. After this, the treatment schedule will be two weeks at home followed by one week in the hospital for chemo. This will be the rotation for the next 4 to 5 months unless God speeds up the healing process.

Understandably, the financial burden will be hard. If you would like to donate to Michael and Amy, they would be so thankful! They will use this money for the medical bills and supplement income as they will not be able to work nearly as much. They have other expenses, like gas and meals, that they incur due to the treatments being administered and overseen at the hospital.

There are so many changes happening at once. Joy will drop out of her fall semester at Moody Bible Institute, where she is a sophomore, but plans to return for the spring semester. Although the diagnosis and treatment are affecting her aggressive timeline to graduate in three years, we do not want finances holding her back from completing her degree. She has a strong work ethic, a great GPA, and an even more beautiful positive attitude motivating her every day!

As this is hard for Michael, Amy, and Joy, this is also hard for the entire family. Her siblings, Hope, Grace, Faith, and Sam are working through their sister's new fight that she has on her hands. Joy is also very close with her cousins, so this large pseudo-sibling group is working out how to love and support each other through the process. But what an amazing gift family is! Joy's got an army supporting her as she leads the charge to #fightforjoy.

I will try to keep you updated on the process as I know many of you care deeply for them. Ultimately, our hope is in the Lord, and we know that there is quite a testimony of God's grace and healing being built through all of this.

But now ask and keep on asking and you will receive, so that your joy (gladness, delight) may be full and complete. —Jesus in John 16:24 AMPC

#fightforJoy!