Joseph here: Last month, our world changed when my mom was diagnosed with advanced stage multiple myeloma, a rare and aggressive blood cancer. Her journey includes months of chemotherapy and, ultimately, a stem cell transplant at Mayo Clinic. Despite the challenges, we are clinging to hope and inspired by her resilience.

While her doctor is confident that this is very treatable, and even no less so due to the stage, we do have a long road ahead.

This GoFundMe is to help ease the unexpected financial strain of this fight—for example, housing near Mayo Clinic during her transplant, travel, and other expenses.

If you feel moved to give, know that your kindness will allow her to focus on what matters most: healing and finding joy in life’s small, beautiful moments. Thank you for your love, support, and prayers—they mean the world to our family.

And finally, as a lymphoma survivor myself, let me just say that we as a family are determined to fight like hell.

Having had 21 years to process, accept and ultimately move on from my own diagnosis, I know I'm in a very different place and that I have the luxury of hindsight when I tell my mom everything is going to be alright.

I know what it means to be knocked down. To feel hopeless and afraid. And then to find the strength within yourself, bolstered by the love of your family, friends, and community, to get back up and fight.

I tell my mom that, every day, she is one day closer to the finish line.

During my treatment, my mom would put Bible verses up on the whiteboard in my room. So, Mom, this one's for you.

2 Timothy 4:7: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”

I love you Mom, and I love all of you.