Joe Bryan Needs Our Help

For months, Joe had consistent back pain, and finally asked for further testing with his doctor. During a scan of his back, they not only found the cause of pain (a clogged vein) but stumbled upon a terrible diagnosis in the process – PANCREATIC CANCER. Lucky to have discovered this aggressive form of cancer early in its growth (stage 2), the prognosis is fortunately much more positive than for those that typically find out they have pancreatic cancer.

He recently had surgery (February 2nd) to remove the cancerous tumor and while the initial recovery went relatively smooth, he soon experienced complications after getting home. What started as slight dizziness here and there led to him passing out on the floor. He went back to the hospital where they determined that his blood pressure medication needed to be adjusted. However, he also had an abdominal infection along with a blood clot in his lung.

He’s overall in good spirits, but I just know that it must be so hard to focus on physical recovery when he is worried about providing for his family.

He will begin chemotherapy treatment within 6 weeks, and it will last for at least two months. Right now, he is working on getting stronger so that his body can tolerate the intensive sessions.

More About Joe

Joe is 54 years young, a loving husband of 32 years, dedicated father to two wonderful daughters (Cassandra and Keely), one amazing son (Joseph), and grandfather to two beautiful granddaughters (Juliana and Sophia).

He is a combat veteran (’87-’91), serving two tours in Panama and Iraq through Desert Storm. He was even put in for a Bronze star, but ultimately received an Army Commendation Medal for saving a fellow soldier’s life.

Joe has a charitable heart. He has been a Mason for over 30 years, in which he continuously participated in charitable events, including being a member of the Shriners Clown Unit, dressing up as a clown on a tricycle to bring a smile to a child’s face. This is just one of many ways he has supported and given back to his community.

He is a thoughtful friend, animated storyteller, and has a great sense of humor. He always makes time for family and friends, like how we go hunting together each year. It is great to spend that time sharing experiences and commiserating with a fellow veteran. He is the kind of person that needs very little to be truly happy.

In his free time, he earned black belts in Honbō and Jujitsu. He can build or fix almost anything and has used his creative side to construct American flags from stained wood. I am proud to have one of his creations on the wall in my office.

Joe has had many trials and tribulations throughout his life. He was adopted as a child, but was able to connect with his biological parents later in life, thankfully before his biological father passed. He served his country as a young man. He is a hard worker and is strong willed. He has always made sure his family was provided for even if it meant taking on a second job and missing out on events.

Fundraising Goal

Due to the aggressive nature of this type of cancer, treatment needed to begin immediately, which prevented Joe from working and saving up enough funds to cover the time he would have to be out of work for recovery and further treatment. With the addition of medical insurance denying coverage for treatment claiming it is a “preexisting condition”, this makes the medical bills pile even higher.

He is reaching out to every resource possible currently, including asking for forbearance and deferral on mortgage and vehicle loan payments. But that will not be enough to keep his family above water.

Our goal is to raise at least $25,000 to begin to alleviate some of this burden.