Joanne's Brain Tumor Funding

Hi, All!

My name is Shannon Mantrom and Joanne has been a dear friend of mine for over 10 years. We met via our membership in Launch Pad Job Club, of which I am now Executive Director and Joanne Board President as of this past January 2024.

Joanne started her new job as a Project Manager with KLDiscovery at the end of 2023 doing eDiscovery work. Many of you know how extraordinary Joanne is. Her extensive resume includes being an entrepreneur, restaurant owner, operations manager and EMS First Responder and Fire Fighter. She has been involved with the nonprofit world for 20+ years and has worked with Launch Pad Job Club and its signature program, Leap to Success, since 2012.

Monday, March 11th, while in a virtual meeting with a fellow employee, Joanne's speech started to go awry. Her associate, also having been in medicine previously, was sure Joanne was experiencing a stroke. Joanne dropped the meeting, and the associate called 911. Joanne herself also dialed 911 but when the operator asked her address, Joanne could barely get out one digit of her address. Fortunately, at that moment her husband, Randy, walked into their home and Joanne handed him her phone. Within minutes, Joanne was being airlifted from their ranch in Elgin to Dell Seton Medical Center in downtown Austin.

After a couple MRIs, it was determined Joanne has an inoperable brain tumor. NOT the information anyone wants to hear. Amazingly, Joanne has remained calm and stoic about her diagnosis. When all around her fell apart, Joanne kept her head about her (no pun intended) and, per usual, was still the strong foundation of her family.

While her medical procedures--biopsy, radiation, chemo--will be covered by insurance, her trips to MD Anderson in Houston will not. Funds will be needed for integrative therapies and possible clinical trials not covered by insurance. Also, she will be missing work. And while KLDiscovery is backing her all the way, she won't be paid when undergoing these procedures. She'll also need funds for a long-stay VRBO or aribnb, gas to and from Elgin, and groceries while there. This will include Randy or her daughter, Rachel, being there to cook and care for Joanne, especially post-chemo treatments. We're looking at 6 months+ for these trips and stays in Houston.

I am asking you to please support Joanne and her family during this challenging time for them all. It's a large number we are seeking for funding but, sadly, that is what is needed to ensure Joanne, Randy, Rachel, and Joanne's 90-year-old mom don't have to deal with unneeded stress during an already stressful time. If you know Joanne, you know she is a proud woman who is the LAST to ask for support, so I'm doing that for her.

Please show your love and respect and donate what you can to help my dearest friend beat back "Irving". Yes, we named her brain tumor so she can visualize it and tell it where to go. I think we all want it to go away with radiation and chemotherapy, so Joanne can resume her work, but also her passions of gardening, cooking and baking, and crocheting fabulous items for her Etsy shop.

Thank you for your support. No donation is too small...and no large donation turned away! Seriously, thank you. I think we all love Joanne and want her to see many more years of leading the band!