Joe Beach Fundraiser

Hi y'all and aloha from Wes Howard, Mark Thompson and DeAnna Davis Shelley. We all met and began our work journey with Joe in the early 80's when we came to Myrtle Beach and joined the forever brother (and sister) hood of MB lifeguards. As you all know, from Myrtle Beach to Maui, Joe Beach is one of the most awesome guys you'll ever meet. Joe has worked on the beach for 50 + years in the service of others, most recently at Downwind Sails, and has been an incredibly cool coworker, boss, confidant and true friend to us. He loves his family, friends, beaches and we are sure each one of you has a Joe Beach story! Right now, Joe needs OUR help. He was diagnosed with throat cancer this summer. On October 24 he underwent an extensive 10 hour surgery to remove the cancer. This required a pre-surgery to place a feeding tube which is still in place and likely to be until radiation is completed and a trach which was removed last week. Joe is at home now, with his brother Michael as his caregiver, and is slowly recovering. We have been helping Joe during this time and it has been a very rough road, as you can imagine. There is still radiation and outpatient speech therapy to come at some point. He is currently receiving home health nursing and PT. For now, Joe is not quite ready for visitors and talking is a bit of struggle but getting better daily. He can receive texts but may not reply for awhile. Joe had to stop working earlier than expected this year and is unsure when he'll return to work on the beach. The skin graft sites and surgical sites can't be exposed to sun for a year. Hard news for a beach lover and someone who still has normal, and now medical, bills to pay. Unfortunately, and contrary to popular belief, there are no jars with money buried in the yard! But we will keep digging. So, if you feel you can help Joe financially, in any way, now is the time. He is beyond appreciative for the help and support he has received thus far and prayers are much appreciated. We are praying for a steady and complete recovery because, this is not his "last year"! Please help spread the word! Thanks so much! Wes, Mark & DeAnna