My name is Steph and I'm Joel's favorite cousin.....kidding but I always like to pretend I am. Seriously, I am writing something that is hard to share. Not because it's a private battle that Joel is facing but also because I just am still in shock sharing it. In January, Joel was diagnosed with prostate cancer at 52 years young. While this may be the most common cancer male's face, nothing feels common with cancer.

Joel and his wife China have been spending the last 6 months searching for answers and trying to receive help. He has 2 upcoming surgeries - a Radical Prostatectomy and a Diverticulectomy to hopefully restore full bladder function. Mayo Clinic is doing both surgeries as they are the only hospital that can bring in a specialist for the Diverticulectomy. While they are so grateful that there is help available to hopefully get some quality of life back, this is unfortunately out of network with insurance coverage. I won't use this space to comment on medical insurance or universal healthcare for all but I will say, they need our help. Please consider contributing so we can help Joel and China as well as his amazing family not stress about piling bills and focus on kicking cancer in the a$$!!!

Thank you for reading and your help.