Hi, my name is Lynsey, and I am starting this GoFundMe on behalf of my sister Jenny, my brother-in-law Joel, and their four-year-old daughter, Katie.

Two years ago, in 2024, when Joel was only 34 years old, he was diagnosed with a rare blood cancer called myelodysplastic syndrome, or MDS. After months of hospital stays, countless blood transfusions, rounds of chemotherapy, full-body radiation, and a stem cell transplant, Joel was finally in remission.

We believed the worst was behind him. After everything he had endured, we allowed ourselves to hope that Joel, Jenny, and Katie could begin rebuilding their lives and looking forward to the future together.

Early in 2026, Joel began experiencing unexplained back pain. For months, he did not know what was causing it and was told that it was most likely a pulled muscle, so he began physiotherapy. However, the pain continued to get worse. When his legs began going numb, he went to the emergency room, where scans revealed a fracture in his T8 vertebra.

Joel was told that he would need spinal surgery within the next few days. During the surgery, doctors discovered a mass that was later identified as a cancerous growth called a myeloid sarcoma. The mass had been growing and pressing against his spine, eventually causing the fracture. Alongside the tumour, Joel was also diagnosed with MDS for a second time.

Only days after receiving this devastating diagnosis, Joel began chemotherapy and radiation to treat the tumour, all while recovering from major spinal surgery and relearning how to walk.

After a lengthy hospital stay, doctors began treating the MDS with chemotherapy. Unfortunately, the treatment was unsuccessful, and Joel’s MDS progressed into acute myeloid leukemia, an extremely aggressive form of leukemia.

Without treatment, his prognosis was only a few weeks. With aggressive chemotherapy, he was given approximately a 20% chance of achieving remission.

Joel, of course, chose to fight.

He accepted the chemotherapy and once again faced weeks in the hospital, separated from the comforts of home and the everyday moments with Jenny and Katie that most of us are fortunate enough to take for granted.

After approximately a month, his bloodwork began showing signs that things might be moving in the right direction, and he was discharged to recover at home. We felt a small sense of hope and relief. However, only 24 hours later, Joel was back in the hospital.

After several days, he returned home again, but approximately five days later, he was readmitted once more.

Although his bloodwork was still showing promising signs, Joel and the family were given the news that no family is ever prepared to hear. His oncologist explained that the symptoms he was experiencing were caused by the leukemia, that his body was beginning to shut down, and that there was nothing more they could do to stop it.

Joel was now receiving end-of-life care at only 36 years old.

There are no words that can fully express the sadness, pain, fear, and helplessness Joel’s entire family is experiencing. We are facing an unimaginable reality that none of us are ready to accept.

Katie is only four years old. She needed her daddy. Jenny needed her husband, her best friend, and her partner in life. They should have had decades of birthdays, holidays, family vacations, school milestones, ordinary mornings, bedtime stories, laughter, and memories still ahead of them.

Instead, they are being forced to confront a future that looks completely different from the one they had planned.

Katie growing up without her father is unbearable. Jenny having to navigate life without the person she chose to share it with is heartbreaking. Our entire family feels powerless as we watch people we love so deeply endure something so cruel and unfair.

We are already grieving all of the moments that have been taken from them—the milestones Joel deserved to witness, the memories they deserved to make together, and the life they worked so hard to build. We cannot understand why someone so young and so good has been taken from us far too soon.

Joel was one of the most incredible people I had ever met. He was truly the kindest, smartest, most thoughtful, and most patient man. If the world were made up of people like Joel Matheson, it would be a more beautiful and peaceful place.

If you knew Joel, you know how fortunate you were to have him in your life. I have known him for 18 years, and I never heard him say one negative thing about anything. He always found the positive in every situation. He was the kind of man who made people feel safe, valued, and cared for. He inspired everyone around him to be kinder, happier, and better.

Even through unimaginable pain and fear, Joel continued to show the same strength, patience, and concern for others that had always defined him.

During this devastating time, we want Jenny and Katie to be able to focus on each other and navigating this unbearable loss. They should not also have to carry the overwhelming burden of financial uncertainty and worry about how they will get back on their feet.

If you can find it in your heart to donate, all contributions will go directly to Jenny, and Katie to help with expenses, a lost household income and provide some financial stability as they navigate this horrific and uncertain time.

No amount can take away their pain or replace what they are facing, but every donation can help relieve a small part of the burden and allow them to concentrate on what matters most right now: each other.

Any amount, no matter how small, would mean more than we can express. If you are unable to donate, we would be incredibly grateful if you would share this fundraiser with others.

Please continue to keep Joel, Jenny, and Katie and Joel’s entire family in your thoughts and prayers.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your kindness, generosity, prayers, and support.