Join Joel's Fight for Life, Memorial to Joel.

Hello, My name is Laurie. Joel Sharp is my brother.

Sadly, this day the Fight for Joel is now a memorial.

Please read the following;

I'm asking for help to raise funds for his cancer treatments. Joel is my only surviving brother. Our brother Tony succumbed to cancer 5 years ago. Joel recently found out he has stage 4 kidney cancer. It has spread to other areas of his body. Joel lives a very active life. He has a life partner, Karly, whom he has been with for 20+years. Their beautiful dog Suki and a rambunctious cat. Joel and Karly are tango dancers. Learning to tango as a couple, entering competitions and now teaching tango classes out of there home. Joel has always been adventurous. Taking chances on life and accomplishing so much.

He is an excellent carpenter. A beautiful wood worker. So skilled with his hands. He and Karly have successfully farmed their own land and built their own places to live. Joel just stated a new job but with his illness causing so much pain working has become almost impossible. If there's a way he will continue to work as long as possible. Joel is a talented musician. Whatever instrument he picked up he taught himself to play. He has an endearing, engaging personality. Kind hearted.

I'm asking for help for Joel's cancer treatments. To loose my little brother would make our world a darker place. We believe in miracles. We believe in Jesus Christ.

Thank you for taking the time to read this. Thank you in advance for any help you feel inclined to give. ALL donations will go directly into a fund for Joel's care.

7/19/24

Update on Joel. Joel has been fighting a hard war. He has had infections that are hard to identify. In the last few days his cancer has spread for lack of treatment. Yet Joel and Karly have found a treatment center that has reviewed his medical records and are willing to take his case. The cost is $40,000. The would need a down-payment with options of financing the rest.

Joel and Karly send their deepest thank you for the generous donations to Joel's Fight For Life.

6/21/24

Thank you for you donations!

Joel has been discharged from the hospital. Now the rest of the Fight for Life begins. Joel went to his first oncologist appt. He is working diligently to gain weight so he is strong enough to undergo treatments. Joel is still in intense pain. Yet keeping an upbeat attitude. Some of the funds donating will be going to in home care for Joel as he fights. The goal is to undergo intense immunotherapy as well as any treatments needed. As stated before, having the funds for a down payment are crucial right now.

Once again we would like to thank those who have donated so generously and a for those who will choose to donate in the future. Your continued support could be the best resource to save Joel's life. Thank you.

6/26/24

Sadly, with a broken heart the fight for Joel has become a memorial. Joel passed away yesterday morning. He gave such a valient fight for his life. With so much to look forward to.

Joel had (it is so hard to use the term 'had' or 'was' in regards to my brother) so many wonderful attributes. He was a life partner to Karly for 20+ yrs. A stepfather to Tyson. He was a talented poet, writer of music, an artist on canvas and paper. He was prolific with several musical instruments. (self taught). He was a carpenter, wood carver, boat builder, dancer, teacher, adventurer, lover of animals. He loved to cook. He was a farmer. He was an uncle, a brother, a cousin to so many. He had a heart for God. The world is a poorer place without him. Thank you to all thar have donated to Joel and Karly. Please, if you feel inclined, and have the means, donate to Joel's memorial fund. The money will be used, and very needed and appreciated, to sustain Karly as she and Joel's family make the hardest decisions regarding Joel. Also to a memorial service to be held in Bellingham, Washington, at a later date.