Joe Pace, former NBA player from '76-'78.

Hi. My name is Danielle McDowell, and over the course of the last few years I have become good friends with Joe Pace. Those of you who are old school basketball fans will know who Joe is. And those of you who live in our community have probably run into Joe many times in the neighborhood at the grocery store, at the gas station, or just walking down the street. I decided to start this GoFundMe for Joe because he's been struggling for many many years, and the only thing he wants is teeth. You see Joe has diabetes, and has had many complications from having this condition. Joe was admitted into the hospital for 30 days at the beginning of 2019 in a coma due to complications from the diabetes. When he was released from the hospital he was told that he had been grinding his teeth while in that coma, he now only has nine teeth which makes it very difficult for him. Not just for eating, but Joe is very self-conscious about his lack of teeth when he is asked to do interviews or Zoom meetings in this current environment. Another group out of state contacted Joe at the beginning of the year and said they were going to do a fundraiser to help him, unfortunately it was all a scam. Joe did a live interview through Zoom with this woman and whatever funds were raised he never saw. Joe really doesn't want much, and never asks for much even though he struggles every single day financially. Joe lives in subsidized housing and receives Social Security. I've been friends with Joe for just over two years and we've been working on a book together to tell his life story, and while most people think since he played for the NBA that he must have money, Joe only made $30,000 a year in the 70s. There is no million dollars, there is no beautiful home, there is nothing. NBA players back then were not treated as they are now. And while I could go on and on rambling about Joe, I wont. I just want you all to know that Joe is a great guy that has had an incredibly difficult life after leaving the NBA. I hope that you can find it in your hearts to help Joe get his teeth.