We’re writing this on behalf of our uncle, Joe. If you know Joe, you know he is one of the most generous, hardworking, and selfless people you could ever meet. He’s the kind of man who has always been there for family, friends, and even strangers, never asking for anything in return. Which is exactly why he would never start this GoFundMe himself.

Joe has been fighting colorectal cancer since 2017. He’s undergone multiple rounds of chemotherapy, radiation, and surgeries, many of them at MD Anderson in Houston, one of the best cancer centers in the country. He and his wife, Michele, have made countless sacrifices along the way; including traveling across the country for treatments, paying for care not covered by insurance, and even leaving work to be by each other’s side.

For a while, those treatments worked. But in late 2023, the cancer returned yet again. Joe has bravely endured every treatment protocol offered to him, but his cancer is now considered chemo-resistant. Conventional oncology has run out of options.

Now, Joe is undergoing treatment at Envita Medical Center in Scottsdale, AZ. Envita specializes in late-stage cancer, using precision therapies designed to target the unique biology of each person’s disease. These treatments are used in Europe and studied at the National Cancer Institute, but not yet approved or covered by insurance here in the U.S. These therapies offer Joe his best, and likely final, chance at life.

But they come at an incredible cost. Treatment is estimated at $550,000, not including travel and living expenses. Michele has taken a leave of absence from her nursing job to care for Joe full-time, which means they’ve also lost her income during this time. They’re doing everything they can to find resources, but time is critical, and they can’t wait months for other options to come through.

We know Joe would never ask for this kind of help himself, especially after a lifetime of providing for others. But we are asking. On behalf of the family who loves him, and the countless people who’ve been blessed by his kindness, we’re stepping in to ask for support.

If you are able, please consider contributing to help Joe access this treatment and give him the fighting chance he deserves. Every donation, no matter the size, will go directly toward his medical care, travel, and living expenses during this time.

Most importantly, please keep Joe and Michele in your prayers as they walk this difficult road. Your generosity and love mean more than words can say.

With gratitude,

Nate & Emily Niespodziany