Originally, Joy didn’t want to accept anyone’s help. She only wanted to give to others — in short, her priority was being a joy to others. After undergoing surgery removing 3/4 of her liver, gall bladder and a foot of her colon, her metastatic stage 4 colon cancer has returned; Joy is finally willing to accept others’ help. Please consider making a tax-deductible donation to help Joy.

After some hesitation and prodding, this is what she wrote:

“Growing up in a small town with only basic resources, I learned humility at a young age. My father (a disabled Vietnam War Veteran and coal miner foreman) taught me how to be strong and provide for myself. My compassion, empathy, and love for helping others, I’ve learned from my mother.

I’m proud that for the past 43 years of my life, God has always provided for me and given me the ability to assist others. Babysitting at the age of 11, as well as working entire summers, enabled me to purchase my own school clothes from my favorite hometown discount store (that still exists today). At 16, I retired my babysitting jobs and landed my first job waitressing. Then on to three part-time jobs at 18 which gave me the ability to attend college with the assistance of government loans.

My soul has always had a calling to assist families living in poverty, especially women and children experiencing domestic violence, which was so prevalent in my childhood neighborhood. My dream of starting a nonprofit (FISH Mending Nets or Friends Inspiring & Sharing Hope) finally came true in 2020. Together with family and friends, who share the same heart and dreams as I do, we made it happen. I’ve come to not only develop my own spiritual path with God through FISH Mending Nets, but I’ve also been given the gift of being a witness to His love.

It’s difficult for me to be on the receiving end and to lower my pride by accepting help from my family and friends. As I’m writing this, I’m not sure that I’ll actually have the courage to complete this request, even with the possibility of death lingering. I know that someone somewhere has greater struggles than me — why am I more deserving than them?

I ask my family and friends to please only contribute if they have the financial means to do so. Please do not feel any obligation towards me. I know that times are tough for many; I’d be grateful for $5 (as it all adds up). If you don’t have the ability to contribute financially, please don’t. Instead, pray for me and share my story.

Over the past 7 months, my surgery, travel, and medical expenses have been close to $25k. In December I need to acquire a BCBS policy for the best possible coverage for a liver transplant, which is what my foreseeable future holds, by the Grace of God. My medical expenses for the coming year are expected to exceed $25k.

I don’t want to be a financial burden. It’s frustrating for me that I’m unable to continue working and contributing to the things that I love and care deeply about through FISH Mending Nets, Inc.

Thank you for taking the time to read this, and for loving me in ways that can never be repaid. I’m truly appreciative, and live always with a grateful heart. Praise God from whom all blessing flow.”

You are able to help Joy by making a tax-deductible donation to Partnership 4 Care Inc. All donations will be used to cover Joy’s medical expenses.

Partnership 4 Care, Inc is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation with an EIN of 85-3032421. The mission of Partnership 4 Care, Inc. is to improve the care of humans and animals through evidence-based science.