Over these past few years—and especially the past few months—each day has brought its own trials, frustrations, and moments of hope. Every decision made, every appointment attended, and every treatment pursued is part of a relentless effort to find the help Joanna needs to fight her cancer. It hasn’t been an easy road. There have been many setbacks and many difficult conversations. Through it all, Joanna continues to fight.

Having known Joanna our entire lives, she has been a constant presence, teaching the people around her so much – often without even realizing it. Through her actions, her words and unwavering care she has made everyone around her to feel supported. From as early as we can remember she has a way of making people feel seen, heard and valued. She wishes happiness for everyone around her and has done everything in her power to bring that life through kindness, laughter and simply by being there when it mattered most. Joanna has inspired so many and we are the lucky ones to have her as our cousin – always steady, selfless and strong. This part of her never changed and she has not let her identity be overshadowed by her illness, even after her diagnosis.

It takes a lot to be strong. It takes even more to be strong when your own body is working against you. Being diagnosed with Stage 4 uterine cancer is something that shakes even the most grounded person, yet Joanna faces it with a resilience that is both humbling and heartbreaking. But cancer doesn’t care how brave you are. While Joanna never let many see the weight she carried, we knew. We know not all days are good and we know there are moments of exhaustion and pain and days when even getting out of bed take more courage than most could understand.

Joanna’s official diagnosis came in late December 2023—just before Christmas. It was supposed to be a time of celebration and rest, but instead it marked the beginning of a new battle. She began chemotherapy soon after, with the hope of slowing the tumor growth. But with the cancer already at Stage 4, the treatments couldn’t shrink the tumors as hoped, and surgery eventually became impossible.

Despite all this, Joanna continues to show up for her loved ones in every way she can. She smiles when she can. She listens. She cares. Even when her body is tired, her spirit remains fierce. Joanna’s strength and determination has been and remains unmatched. Through it all, she remains the person we have always known; caring, determined and endlessly strong.

Cancer is cruel. It doesn’t care how strong you are, how much you fight, or how deeply you’re loved. Joanna’s journey reminds us that true strength isn’t just about what we show the world but what we endure, what we carry and how much we love despite it all. It will never take away the impact she has made on everyone lucky enough to know her.