If you are from New Port Richey or frequent the downtown area you may already know Joe. He’s a New Port Richey local, born and raised. I met Joe one afternoon last fall as I was getting out of my car to go into my office.

He was in a wheelchair, clearly in rough shape, and I could tell right away he was about to ask for help.

But what struck me most wasn’t his condition, it was his eyes...

Despite everything he was facing, Joe didn’t look defeated. I saw hope in his eyes.

That moment led to a long conversation, and from then on, Joe and I crossed paths regularly. Over time, he’s become a friend.

Joe's Current Reality

Joe is living with several very serious health conditions, including cancer in his lungs, throat, and skin.

SKIN CANCER

Due to his skin cancer he has very large and painful sores across his body which he struggles to keep clean.

MOBILITY

As an amputee Joe only has one leg and needs a wheelchair to get around. Having been chairbound for so long he may not be eligible for a prosthetic to get him more mobile because there are many muscle groups needed for standing which he has not exercised in quite some time.

THROAT CANCER

Due to his throat cancer his speech is weakening and communication is getting more and more difficult.

ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE

Joe is unable to work in his condition and does not have children or any other family members around to lend a hand. Without an income and with his disability he has no means of transportation other than his wheelchair. Making it to doctor’s appointments is an ongoing challenge for Joe.

HOUSING

Thanks to the kindness of a local community member, Joe currently has temporary housing, a single rented bedroom in a small house. The problem is that it is in a very tight space that’s hard to navigate with his wheelchair. He has to sleep on the floor on a mat without air-conditioning. He sometimes chooses to sleep outside instead.

NEEDS

What he really needs is:

A Spark of Hope

Since receiving temporary housing, Joe’s will to live has grown stronger. He’s not asking for much—he’s said that even just one more month of life, with a little more ease and dignity, would be a gift.

Joe is a people person. He’s full of faith, gratitude, and warmth despite the pain he’s in. He’s not bitter—he’s just hoping for a bit of support to make the time he has left more livable and meaningful.

Why We’re Fundraising

This campaign is to help Joe with: basic necessities, better housing, transportation, and access to care. Any contribution, no matter how small, will help move Joe toward a better quality of life.

And for those who want to get to know Joe beyond this page: we’re in the early stages of creating a YouTube channel that will share more of his story, his humor, his faith, and his reflections. That’s coming soon, and I’ll be sharing updates here.

Thank You

Joe is incredibly grateful for every bit of support—whether it’s a donation, a share, or simply a prayer. Thank you for taking the time to read this and for considering helping someone who, even in the hardest of times, still carries hope in his heart.

6/29/2025 Update

We are a few days into Joe's fundraising campaign and through some generous donations have already been able to raise $100.00. Joe is so grateful for the generous support he has received so far. He was hoping to use the first funds raised to fix his motorized wheelchair, but ended up using these first funds for transportation to doctor's appointments and basic needs. Thank you to all who have donated

Update 07/02/2025

Great news. Joe received 35 more dollars in donations. With this money he was able to go to another doctor's appointment and buy some food. He is so thankful and looking forward to recording the video soon to post here.

Unfortunately Joe had a change in his living circumstances. He's no longer going to be able to stay in the room where he had temporary housing. We are currently looking for a new situation preferably a bedroom with enough room for him to maneuver and especially a bathroom that he'll be able to turn around freely in. Please keep Joe in your prayers.

Also then the wheelchair that he was so kindly donated about a month ago is malfunctioning. It is going to need a new control arm. I posted a picture of that as well, hoping to get funds for that so that Joe can get around without the fear of getting stranded.