Hi, My name is Anna Lee, and I'm creating this Go Fund Me for my cousin Joanna Gieschen. Jo is one of the funniest, most caring people I know. And through a lifetime of challenges, including multiple chronic health conditions like lupus and diabetes, Jo has worked hard each and every day to do whatever it takes to provide for herself, while also always being of service to others in need.

But right now Joanna needs some help herself. She has been diagnosed with uterine cancer and is scheduled to have surgery at the end of September, with any follow up treatments (like radiation or chemo) to be determined once the surgery is complete.

Unfortunately like many folks these days, despite working full time she's been living paycheck to paycheck just to get by. She's a super hard worker but has been working as an independent contractor for driving and delivery services and in other jobs that don't provide sick time or health insurance. So, she's on her own with no safety net for day to day living expenses while she is out of work, or working less than normal. She's going to need to be off work for at least three weeks, and likely more. And even if back to work will be restricted on how many hours she can work with the physical limitations from the surgery.

With all of that uncertainty in income, as well as additional costs for medicines and other needs post surgery, I would like to help ease her mind and assure that she has a cushion of at least two months of expenses so that she can truly rest and recover.

She's been incredibly hesitant to ask for this kind of help, but I've encouraged her to be open to receiving kindness from people, as she so often is kind and takes care of others, even when she does not have much herself. Any support you can provide will go to cover her rent, insurance, medicines, food, and other day to day needs while she is recovering and not working.

Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions or messages you'd like to share. Any donation helps! And if you can't support financially, but would like to make her a meal or check in on her, please reach out to me, and I'll let you know how you can help.

Thank you so very much!

Anna Lee

Joanna's cousin