Make it Matter 4 Joe
Donation protected
2015 has started out to be a challenging year for my brother, Joe. My name is Jude and my brother, Joe, has courageously fought liver cancer for over three years.
In 2012, doctors discovered three suspicious “spots” on Joe’s liver. Many tests later, Joe was diagnosed with Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. The “spots” are inoperable due to the location. I would have gladly given him my liver; however, that is also not an option because of the location.
Joe fought this cancer and refused to let it define him. He frequetly traveled to Chicago’s Cancer Treatment of America. He spent the last two years being what he calls "A guinea pig" in hopes of finding a way to live longer and do more.
Joe had moments of wondering "Do I have the strength?" but always remained hopeful even on the days he couldn’t get out of bed. He wrote, "Feeling blest to have the people in my life that I do. I might complain every now and then lol but I know what I have and I m more than thankful for it!"
Joe challenged himself and others to look for the good, seek the positive, and never give in to the fear that can hold so many of us back from experiencing life’s joy. He stayed engaged with friends nationwide and is an inspiration to his nephews, sister, parents and friends. He mattered. Cancer hit him, but cancer did not define him.
"When you find those special people that make your life better and treat you the way you deserve , you better grab hold and make sure you don't take on second for granted! We are all learning anyone can be gone in the blink of an eye! And the one thing is once they are gone you will never get the opportunity to tell them just how much they've impacted your life and that's a hard pill to swallow!"
Joe's life was changed with the donations given to pay his overwhelming medical expenses. He was able to focus on maintaining his strength
without worrying about "How am I going to pay for this?" For that, I truly thank you.
The services for Joe are going to be very, very private. It is what he wanted. He said that "I don't want anyone coming to a funeral and looking down on me. If they were my friend, they knew me and that was enough". I am going to respect his wishes.
I am asking that in leiu of flowers, please donate to the "Joe Laney Memorial Fund". I want to help make sure he closes this chapter the way he wanted to. There is no doubt that Joe is dancing in heaven right now, playing with his beloved pup- Micah, reuniting with loved ones, and looking over us. He loved so deeply, fiercely, and without conditions. We could all learn from this.
No donation is too small & no prayer ever goes unheard.
In 2012, doctors discovered three suspicious “spots” on Joe’s liver. Many tests later, Joe was diagnosed with Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. The “spots” are inoperable due to the location. I would have gladly given him my liver; however, that is also not an option because of the location.
Joe fought this cancer and refused to let it define him. He frequetly traveled to Chicago’s Cancer Treatment of America. He spent the last two years being what he calls "A guinea pig" in hopes of finding a way to live longer and do more.
Joe had moments of wondering "Do I have the strength?" but always remained hopeful even on the days he couldn’t get out of bed. He wrote, "Feeling blest to have the people in my life that I do. I might complain every now and then lol but I know what I have and I m more than thankful for it!"
Joe challenged himself and others to look for the good, seek the positive, and never give in to the fear that can hold so many of us back from experiencing life’s joy. He stayed engaged with friends nationwide and is an inspiration to his nephews, sister, parents and friends. He mattered. Cancer hit him, but cancer did not define him.
"When you find those special people that make your life better and treat you the way you deserve , you better grab hold and make sure you don't take on second for granted! We are all learning anyone can be gone in the blink of an eye! And the one thing is once they are gone you will never get the opportunity to tell them just how much they've impacted your life and that's a hard pill to swallow!"
Joe's life was changed with the donations given to pay his overwhelming medical expenses. He was able to focus on maintaining his strength
without worrying about "How am I going to pay for this?" For that, I truly thank you.
The services for Joe are going to be very, very private. It is what he wanted. He said that "I don't want anyone coming to a funeral and looking down on me. If they were my friend, they knew me and that was enough". I am going to respect his wishes.
I am asking that in leiu of flowers, please donate to the "Joe Laney Memorial Fund". I want to help make sure he closes this chapter the way he wanted to. There is no doubt that Joe is dancing in heaven right now, playing with his beloved pup- Micah, reuniting with loved ones, and looking over us. He loved so deeply, fiercely, and without conditions. We could all learn from this.
No donation is too small & no prayer ever goes unheard.
Organizer
Jude Laney Black
Organizer
Braemar Tartan Hills Parkway, VA
