Joel Kvernmo is a father, husband, business owner, and all-around good guy living in Los Angeles with his wife, Rosanna, and their daughter Judith, born in January of this year.
Anyone who knows Joel has a story to tell about his generosity and sense of humor. Here is a guy who has enthusiastically shown you around Shorthand (the shop he and Rosanna own in Highland Park), welcomed you into his house for a meal, made you a carefully crafted cocktail at a backyard barbeque, lent you a hand and his expertise to troubleshoot a particularly tricky project - all with a smile and a quick wit. 
And now, the hard part. Joel was recently diagnosed with a Grade III Glioma Anaplastic Astrocytoma, after undergoing brain surgery on May 4th to remove a tumor found earlier this spring. In true Joel style, he's been updating friends and family via his Brain Tumor Gazette (you can catch up and subscribe here  if you're so inclined).
At the moment, we know very little about what is ahead for him and his family, but what we do know is that he begins radiation and chemotherapy on June 12th. Fortunately, this treatment is mostly covered by insurance. Unfortunately, there are many expenses and hardships ahead for the Kvernmos, and this fundraiser is an effort to offset some of those expenses - specifically, the out of pocket medical costs and loss of work as both he and Rosanna focus on his health in the coming year.  
We've set up this campaign to offer some stationery themed treats to you in exchange for a donation to the Kvernmo family, including greeting cards from some of our stationery buds, and special edition Shorthand notebooks (see photo below). If you would prefer to just donate without receiving your gift, simply refrain from providing your mailing address. We'll be in touch after you complete your donation to determine which Shorthand option you'd like (notebook, task pad, or memo pad). Thank you for your help, every donation is so appreciated!