On May 29, 2024, my dear friend Joanne Washington—only 42 years old—received a life-altering diagnosis: pancreatic cancer. In a matter of days, her world was turned upside down.

She quickly began an aggressive five-month regimen of chemotherapy, followed by two weeks of targeted radiation therapy. The goal was to shrink the tumor enough to make her eligible for a complex and high-risk Whipple procedure—a surgery that offered her the best chance of removing the cancer entirely.

Joanne has not been able to work since June 2024 due to the toll this illness has taken on her body. Without income, she also lost her health insurance, adding a financial burden to an already heartbreaking situation.

Despite facing unimaginable physical and emotional pain, Joanne continued to fight. In October 2024, she underwent Whipple surgery, during which surgeons removed part of her pancreas, her gallbladder, and her bile duct in an attempt to eliminate the cancer and give her a chance at life.

But even after this major surgery, she continued to suffer from severe pain and was in and out of the hospital for months. In April 2025, she also had to undergo hernia surgery.

Joanne has fought incredibly hard mentally, physically, and emotionally

and for a while, it seemed like she had beaten the odds. But on July 19, 2025, Joanne was rushed to the hospital with unbearable pain and was admitted. On Thursday, July 24, 2025, she received devastating news: the cancer had returned, this time on a major blood vessel and the remaining part of her pancreas. The cancer has now spread and metastasized.

Doctors have confirmed there is nothing more they can do to cure her. Joanne is now transitioning to palliative care, where the focus is no longer on curing the disease but on keeping her as comfortable as possible.

Joanne is a loving single mother of two children. She is doing everything she can to hold on and create lasting memories with them. Her strength is nothing short of inspiring.

Joanne is not only a warrior—she is a devoted mother. Every day, she continues to fight, not for herself, but for her children. Her greatest wish is to ensure they are cared for and to spend whatever time she has left with them in peace and comfort.

We are raising funds to help Joanne and her family with:

Medical and palliative care costs

Basic living expenses

Support for her two children

Home care and transportation

Funeral and end-of-life costs (if and when the time comes)

Joanne has endured more than most of us could ever imagine. And yet, she continues to fight with grace, courage, and love. Please help us lift some of the heavy burden from her shoulders.

If you are able to donate, no matter how small, your generosity will make a difference. If you’re unable to give at this time, please share this page and keep Joanne and her children in your prayers.

Thank you for standing with Joanne during the most difficult chapter of her life.