Help and support to Joe’s family

After a poor day of fishing in the summer of 2020, we had hiked back to our cars. Joe being the last to make it up the hill and out of breath, grew concerned, seeing as a pregnant woman had beaten him up the hill. Even more so for someone who regularly visited the gym near his home. His concern started his long health journey then; viral infection gone wrong, autoimmune disease, rare blood disease, surgery, broad range chemo treatments, monthly blood transfusions, and so many more hospital stays.

Joe checked into the hospital the weekend before July 4th 2023 for an excruciating pain, ending up in surgery and the removal of his gallbladder. Only to return two days after he was discharged for an even worse pain; kidney failure. They flew him down to Huntsman Cancer Institute, where he was diagnosed with Stage 4 Lymphoma. Joe’s mind and spirit wanted to fight, but unfortunately, his body was just too weak.

Right by Joe’s side was his incredible wife, Vika. When Joey talked about his baby Vik, his eyes would spark with life. He once told me how he still feels the exact same way about her as the first day he met her, all the while grabbing his belly because he had the same butterflies as before. Vika was his savior, the greatest love of his life. She made him a man, a father, and he wanted to give her the world because of it.

Anyone who has met Joe, I’m sure would see why everyone around him loved him. He was compassionate and kind. He never let anyone talk poorly about themselves in front of him. He was the life of the party, with the greatest smile and best laugh. He was wise beyond his years from all the life experiences he had. And he never let his friends feel alone.

Cancer is a cruel disease. It takes away from so many people and everyone around them. Leaving all those affected to suffer with immeasurable pain and grief. Time becomes exponentially more valuable, and spending every second of it with loved ones is of more value than earning an income. And in such, any funds donated will go to Vika and Keith, to help them get back on their feet while they face this painfully unknown path.