Joanne has been my friend for over 40 years and, growing up here in Scituate, MA, her family was like my own. She has always been there for others, offering kindness and support whenever someone needed it. Now, Joanne is facing one of the toughest times of her life and I want to do everything I can to help her through it.

Joanne is a single mother who was out of work for three weeks from her job at Maria's Sub Shop due to hand surgery and, just as she was about to return to work, she was hospitalized for what they thought was a heart attack. It ended up being a form of acute heart failure that is compounded by other underlying issues including Lupus. Less than a week after she was released from the hospital, her father passed away suddenly, adding to the emotional and financial stress she is experiencing.

These challenges have kept her out of work much longer than expected and she has had to use up all her savings paying for medical bills and taking care of her family's needs during this time. The stress of mounting bills, along with daily expenses, has been overwhelming at a time when she needs to focus on her recovery, caring for her daughters and navigating the loss of her father.

The funds raised will go directly toward covering rent, groceries, electricity, gas to get to and from multiple doctor appointments and expenses for her two daughters until she is able to return to work full time. Every bit of support will make a meaningful difference as she works to get back on her feet. I want to thank everyone who donates, or can offer up prayers, for Joanne. She is the definition of selflessness and she is in need of some help herself right now. Thank you