It is truly a miracle that Joel Tandberg is alive today. After months of tests and failed treatment attempts, he has been diagnosed with Autoimmune Rhombencephalitis, with an unknown cause. Autoimmune Rhombencephalitis is an incredibly rare neurologic disease where the immune system attacks the central nervous system with rapid deterioration of all motor function. He was fortunate to participate in a study in which he went through an autologous stem cell transplant that undoubtedly saved his life.

Joel has spent his entire life giving for others. Joel became a man who embraced life as a child, teenager, soldier, student, friend and father - bright, determined, independent, focused and ready for life. He has always been monumentally involved in the lives of both his children, with school, sports (volunteer coaching) and personal growth. Joel always puts his friends and family first. Everyone knows that if they need something or someone, Joel is there and will do everything he can to help. Now he needs your help.

My name is Oly Graham and I am starting this fundraiser for my dear nephew, Joel (41 yo), and his young family. Joel is fighting the battle of his life against a rare and relatively unknown disease called autoimmune rhombencephalitis that has left him completely incapacitated. He is unable to walk, talk, eat or manage his basic needs, thus requiring 24/7 caregivers.

Joel has been hospitalized since July, 2022 and is coming home within the coming week. For the foreseeable future, Joel will need 24/7 caregivers, a wheelchair accessible van, and constant medical supplies, all of which are out of pocket expenses. In addition to these upcoming costs, medical bills over the last 10 months of hospitalization are landing in his mailbox.

This journey started in June of ‘22 with several trips to the ER related to having difficulty walking and continued to progress to being unable to walk, use his hands or speak. He has endured numerous and painful tests, multiple meds, chemo and finally a stem cell transplant in December 2022. The stem cell transplant appears to have stopped progression of the disease; however medical professionals are unable to predict his recovery path. Joel is the first patient with this disease to receive a stem cell transplant, resulting in an unknown prognosis.

He was admitted to the hospital in Oregon in July ’22, got transferred to the Mayo Clinic in Phoenix in Aug ’22, to Colorado in Dec ’22 and finally to Barrow Neurological Rehab in Phoenix in Feb ’22 but will soon be discharged from there to go home. Joel has been making progress in physical, occupational and speech therapy but will require many more months of 24 hour in-home care and treatment once released which will all be out of pocket.

Joel’s Mom Ivy and his wife Jen have worked tirelessly to get Joel all the treatment opportunities he has received thus far and to get the Navy to grant him 100% disability, as the belief is that he was exposed to something while serving his country but this has thus far been denied.

We ask that you help this US veteran and his family in any way that you can with prayers and/or donations to help offset the significant financial burden they will be facing for the foreseeable future.