Row4Jo Fight Against Cancer
Donation protected
This fund is for my co-worker, Jolynn Elizondo. In December 2017, she found a lump in her left breast. Because of the size and shape, she was prepared for the dreaded C word. After all the testing, poking, and prodding she was diagnosed with breast cancer in January of this year. Her strength and determination has inspired us all throughout this journey.
Allow me to introduce her to you if you don't already know this strong, amazing woman. She's a fiery native Texan who loves her bulldogs, Cami and Octavius. She enjoys lifting heavy "shit" at the gym (due to her lowered immunity she hasn't been able to go to the gym since starting her chemo). Always up for an adventure and helping others, a few years back she went on a medical mission trip to the Amazon jungle with all she would need for a week in a backpack. She's tough! So, when she was diagnosed with cancer it was a shock to all of us. Chemotherapy has been a long, physically, mentally, emotionally, draining process. She fights with constant exhaustion but manages to push thru it every day giving it her all as a registered nurse and has only missed one day of work due to the debilitating affects of the chemo. When others might have taken a break, this little force of nature, continued her studies and obtained her Bachelor's degree in nursing in May.
She's kept her cancer on the down low but when she shares with someone that she is fighting cancer they are amazed at how good she looks and her great attitude. She's had a great group of friends and family that have helped her with day to day life, cleaning, cooking, taking her to chemo and doctor's appointments, and we all love her immensely.
Despite her many blessings, she needs our help now financially. She will be having a double mastectomy in July. She will be out of work for four to six weeks. She will have to be out again for several weeks after her reconstructive surgery later in the year. She has exhausted her paid time off with chemo and doctor's appointments and does not have disability coverage. The thought of the loss of income has been very stressful for Jo so we would like to raise enough to cover her living expenses while out of work. She will also need a special lift chair at her home that will alleviate the pressure on her chest and provide a comfortable place for her to rest. Eliminating the financial stress will be one less thing for her to worry about so that she can focus on her healing and recovery.
Bryon, the owner of Misfit Strength, where Jo is a member and part of the "family' there, is sponsoring an event to celebrate her accomplishments and to give everyone an opportunity to help Jo out during her recovery. ROW4JO will be a 24-hour non-stop row starting Friday June 29th at noon till Saturday June 30th at noon. Your participation will be greatly appreciated! If you attend you can purchase a "F-ck Cancer ROW4JO" t-shirt or you can purchase one on the gym's website at misfitstrength.com. T-shirts are available for pre-order on the website at this time. 100% of all proceeds go to help Jo. Please donate here on the GoFundMe page if you don't want to purchase a shirt or want to give in addition to the shirt purchase. The address for the gym is 5302 Cornish St, Houston, TX, 77007.
Let's all tell Jo's cancer to kiss our asses!
6-13-18 Below is Jolynn's story in her own words. It's from her recent Instagram post . It's such a powerful message that I had to share!
Cancer. The dreaded word you hope to never hear. Yup, it happened to me. I found a mass on my left breast 2 days before NYE. It was by chance that I brushed the bottom of my breast while watching TV that night. In my gut, I knew what I was soon to face. I got an official diagnosis on 1/11/18: stage 2 invasive ductal carcinoma w/ no lymph node involvement to be treated w/ chemotherapy for 16 rounds and my choice of double mastectomy with reconstruction (it's a mouth full). The preparation began, with a myriad of appointments, testing, chopping my hair off and non stop planning as I was preparing to go on this huge trip. I knew one day I would feel ready to tell my story but in those dark moments I had no voice, no story to tell just yet. I merely was trying to get by one day at a time. Now fast forward to today. I have 2 more rounds of chemo and surgery scheduled for next month. I'll come out of this darkness cancer free, stripped down to the bare minimum of the person I was bc cancer doesn't give a fuck who your are, it takes all. To my Misfit family; I could never repay you for what you all are doing for me. Your graciousness and giving hearts mean the world to me. For each one of you who have reached out, texted, visited me, driven me to the med center; I am forever grateful. I see a win for Jo and a loss for cancer in the next month. I can't wait to get back to my former self... you know, doing for others, lifting heavy shit, throwing weights around :). I know this part of my life has a purpose and my heart will figure it out soon enough. Xoxo's - Jo #myheartandsoul #triplenegativebreastcancer #breastcancer #fuckcancer #checkyourboobies #almostthere
Allow me to introduce her to you if you don't already know this strong, amazing woman. She's a fiery native Texan who loves her bulldogs, Cami and Octavius. She enjoys lifting heavy "shit" at the gym (due to her lowered immunity she hasn't been able to go to the gym since starting her chemo). Always up for an adventure and helping others, a few years back she went on a medical mission trip to the Amazon jungle with all she would need for a week in a backpack. She's tough! So, when she was diagnosed with cancer it was a shock to all of us. Chemotherapy has been a long, physically, mentally, emotionally, draining process. She fights with constant exhaustion but manages to push thru it every day giving it her all as a registered nurse and has only missed one day of work due to the debilitating affects of the chemo. When others might have taken a break, this little force of nature, continued her studies and obtained her Bachelor's degree in nursing in May.
She's kept her cancer on the down low but when she shares with someone that she is fighting cancer they are amazed at how good she looks and her great attitude. She's had a great group of friends and family that have helped her with day to day life, cleaning, cooking, taking her to chemo and doctor's appointments, and we all love her immensely.
Despite her many blessings, she needs our help now financially. She will be having a double mastectomy in July. She will be out of work for four to six weeks. She will have to be out again for several weeks after her reconstructive surgery later in the year. She has exhausted her paid time off with chemo and doctor's appointments and does not have disability coverage. The thought of the loss of income has been very stressful for Jo so we would like to raise enough to cover her living expenses while out of work. She will also need a special lift chair at her home that will alleviate the pressure on her chest and provide a comfortable place for her to rest. Eliminating the financial stress will be one less thing for her to worry about so that she can focus on her healing and recovery.
Bryon, the owner of Misfit Strength, where Jo is a member and part of the "family' there, is sponsoring an event to celebrate her accomplishments and to give everyone an opportunity to help Jo out during her recovery. ROW4JO will be a 24-hour non-stop row starting Friday June 29th at noon till Saturday June 30th at noon. Your participation will be greatly appreciated! If you attend you can purchase a "F-ck Cancer ROW4JO" t-shirt or you can purchase one on the gym's website at misfitstrength.com. T-shirts are available for pre-order on the website at this time. 100% of all proceeds go to help Jo. Please donate here on the GoFundMe page if you don't want to purchase a shirt or want to give in addition to the shirt purchase. The address for the gym is 5302 Cornish St, Houston, TX, 77007.
Let's all tell Jo's cancer to kiss our asses!
6-13-18 Below is Jolynn's story in her own words. It's from her recent Instagram post . It's such a powerful message that I had to share!
Cancer. The dreaded word you hope to never hear. Yup, it happened to me. I found a mass on my left breast 2 days before NYE. It was by chance that I brushed the bottom of my breast while watching TV that night. In my gut, I knew what I was soon to face. I got an official diagnosis on 1/11/18: stage 2 invasive ductal carcinoma w/ no lymph node involvement to be treated w/ chemotherapy for 16 rounds and my choice of double mastectomy with reconstruction (it's a mouth full). The preparation began, with a myriad of appointments, testing, chopping my hair off and non stop planning as I was preparing to go on this huge trip. I knew one day I would feel ready to tell my story but in those dark moments I had no voice, no story to tell just yet. I merely was trying to get by one day at a time. Now fast forward to today. I have 2 more rounds of chemo and surgery scheduled for next month. I'll come out of this darkness cancer free, stripped down to the bare minimum of the person I was bc cancer doesn't give a fuck who your are, it takes all. To my Misfit family; I could never repay you for what you all are doing for me. Your graciousness and giving hearts mean the world to me. For each one of you who have reached out, texted, visited me, driven me to the med center; I am forever grateful. I see a win for Jo and a loss for cancer in the next month. I can't wait to get back to my former self... you know, doing for others, lifting heavy shit, throwing weights around :). I know this part of my life has a purpose and my heart will figure it out soon enough. Xoxo's - Jo #myheartandsoul #triplenegativebreastcancer #breastcancer #fuckcancer #checkyourboobies #almostthere
Organizer and beneficiary
Jo Ann McClure
Organizer
Houston, TX
Jolynn Elizondo
Beneficiary