Our dear friend Joseph Cantiello is fighting for his life against multiple myeloma, an aggressive blood cancer that has completely upended his world. Joseph is a kind, hardworking Vermonter who has always shown up for others — now it’s our turn to show up for him.

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Why We’re Raising Funds

Cancer treatment brings enormous physical, emotional, and financial strain. Even with insurance, the out-of-pocket costs are staggering. In just the first month of treatment, Joseph’s medical bills totaled over $80,000 — and his battle has only begun.

These expenses include emergency hospital stays, imaging, chemotherapy, and spine stabilization procedures. On top of that, Joseph has had to leave work due to the toll this disease has taken on his body.

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What’s Ahead

Before his diagnosis, Joseph had recently started a physically demanding factory job, working long shifts that required heavy lifting and repetitive motion. The strain of that work caused multiple vertebrae to fracture, which led doctors to discover the underlying multiple myeloma.

Now, those broken vertebrae have made mobility and daily life extremely painful. Joseph will need additional spinal treatments to manage pain and prevent further injury.

He’s also preparing for a bone marrow (stem cell) transplant, which will require an estimated 2½-week hospital stay, followed by an extended recovery at home. These are essential steps toward remission — but they come with significant costs for medical care, travel, housing near the hospital, and time away from work.

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How Your Gift Helps

Your support will go directly toward:

• Medical bills, deductibles, and co-pays

• Bone marrow transplant and hospital stay expenses

• Travel, lodging, and meals near the treatment center

• Post-treatment medications and follow-up care

• Everyday expenses while Joseph is unable to work

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How You Can Help

1. Donate — any amount makes a real difference.

2. Share this page with friends, coworkers, and community groups.

3. Leave a message of encouragement — your words give Joseph strength on the hardest days.

Every dollar and every share helps Joseph focus on healing instead of bills. Thank you for standing beside him in this fight — your kindness means more than words can express.