<div>Three weeks ago, our dear friend, Rockaway Beach Autism Families board
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<div>member, Joe Munisteri, otherwise known as “Joe Butterfly,” at just
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<div>35 years old was diagnosed with colon cancer. For those of you who have
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<div>crossed paths with Joe, know that he is an extraordinary human being. He
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<div>is on the autism spectrum, and also, passionately works as a direct
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<div>support professional (DSP) for individuals with autism. In addition,
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<div>utilizing his background in Peer Supports, he works as a mentor for
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<div>individuals facing mental health challenges.
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<div>So, much more we can list about Joe’s accomplishments. In a nutshell, he
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<div>is an autistic superhero, who has overcome numerous challenges. He
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<div>independently rents an apartment with his longtime girlfriend, Nancy,
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<div>owns and drives a vehicle, and has a full-time job.
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<div><strong>However, now he is facing a formidable opponent— COLON CANCER. </strong>
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<div>Because of this alarming diagnosis, Joe is limited in his ability to work. He
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<div>does not get short term disability benefits, and most of his medical
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<div>expenses are not covered as he only has straight Medicaid, thus limiting
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<div>his healthcare options.
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<div>And with the everyday necessities of life and not being able to make an
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<div>income, Joe direly needs our help!
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<div><em>*****Funds raised will go into Joe’s ABLE (Achieving a Better Life </em>
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<div><em>Experience) savings account and "Special Needs Trust.” These special </em>
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<div><em>accounts will ensure that Joe does not lose his Medicaid or SSDI </em>
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<div><em>eligibility. Funds will only be used for qualifying disability related </em>
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<div><em>expenses. </em>
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<div><strong>Anything you can donate will be truly appreciated. </strong>
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<div><strong>Also, please pray and surround Joe and his family with your love so he </strong>
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<div><strong>can beat this thing. </strong>
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<div><strong>Please spread the word. </strong>
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<div>Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
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<div>The friends and family of Joe Munisteri aka Joe Butterfly
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<div>#cancersucks #autismcommunity #autismgamers #joebutterfly
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<div>#autisticartists #butterflyinspace
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<div><strong>To learn more about Joe, please see the links below: </strong>
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<div><strong>Articles Featuring Joe: </strong>
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<div><strong>Passion interview: Joe Butterfly </strong>
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<div><a href="https://katharinelgates.substack.com/p/passion-interview-joe-butterfly" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><a href="https://katharinelgates.substack.com/p/passion-interview-joe-butterfly" target="_blank" class="" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://katharinelgates.substack.com/p/passion-interview-joe-butterfly</a></a>
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<div><strong>Special Feature — Hear From Local Autism Warriors </strong>
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<div><a href="https://www.rockawaytimes.com/special-feature-hear-from-local-autism-warriors-2/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><a href="https://www.rockawaytimes.com/special-feature-hear-from-local-autism-warriors-2/" target="_blank" class="" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://www.rockawaytimes.com/special-feature-hear-from-local-autism-warriors-2/</a></a>
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<div><strong>Special Feature — Reflections on NYC Comic Con 2025 </strong>
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<div><a href="https://www.rockawaytimes.com/special-feature-reflections-on-nyc-comic-con-2025/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><a href="https://www.rockawaytimes.com/special-feature-reflections-on-nyc-comic-con-2025/" target="_blank" class="" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://www.rockawaytimes.com/special-feature-reflections-on-nyc-comic-con-2025/</a></a>
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<div><strong>Subscribe to Joe's YouTube Channel </strong>
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<div><a href="https://youtube.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><a href="https://youtube.com/" target="_blank" class="" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://youtube.com/</a></a>@butterfliesinspace?si=QNcpDYkNkxOoyR5V
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<div><strong>Follow Joe on Instagram</strong>
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<div><a href="https://instagram.com/butterfliesin.space_joe" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><a href="https://instagram.com/butterfliesin.space_joe" target="_blank" class="" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://instagram.com/butterfliesin.space_joe</a></a>
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<div><strong>Follow Joe on X (formerly Twitter)</strong>
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<div><a href="https://x.com/butterfliesinsp" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><a href="https://x.com/butterfliesinsp" target="_blank" class="" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://x.com/butterfliesinsp</a></a>
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<div><strong>Follow Joe on Facebook </strong>
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<div><a href="https://www.facebook.com/dopplepopplelus/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/dopplepopplelus/" target="_blank" class="" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://www.facebook.com/dopplepopplelus/</a></a>
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<div><strong>Follow Joe on TikTok </strong>
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<div><a href="https://www.tiktok.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><a href="https://www.tiktok.com/" target="_blank" class="" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://www.tiktok.com/</a></a>@butterfliesinspacejoe
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<div><strong><em>Hackathon Projects Joe has created: </em></strong>
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<div><strong>1) EthGlobal 2025 - ABLEfid </strong>
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<div><a href="https://ethglobal.com/showcase/ablefid-0agfc" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><a href="https://ethglobal.com/showcase/ablefid-0agfc" target="_blank" class="" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://ethglobal.com/showcase/ablefid-0agfc</a></a>
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<div><strong>2) NASA Space Apps Challenge 2024 - Butterfly Space Rescue RPG using GLOBE Program Datasets </strong>
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<div><a href="https://www.spaceappschallenge.org/nasa-space-apps-2024/find-a" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><a href="https://www.spaceappschallenge.org/nasa-space-apps-2024/find-a" target="_blank" class="" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://www.spaceappschallenge.org/nasa-space-apps-2024/find-a</a></a>
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<div>team/butterfly-space-rescue/
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<div><strong>3) EthGlobal Online 2022 - POAP Book Club V2.0 featuring: "Butterflies </strong>
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<div><strong>in Space" </strong>
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<div><a href="https://ethglobal.com/showcase/poap-book-club-v2-0-butterflies-inspace-qemkw" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><a href="https://ethglobal.com/showcase/poap-book-club-v2-0-butterflies-inspace-qemkw" target="_blank" class="" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://ethglobal.com/showcase/poap-book-club-v2-0-butterflies-inspace-qemkw</a></a>
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<div><strong>4) EthGlobal New York 2022 - POAP Book Club </strong>
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<div><a href="https://ethglobal.com/showcase/poap-book-club-tc3ea" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><a href="https://ethglobal.com/showcase/poap-book-club-tc3ea" target="_blank" class="" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://ethglobal.com/showcase/poap-book-club-tc3ea</a></a>
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<div><strong>5) Joe was the local lead for the NASA Space Apps Challenge 2025 - Long Beach </strong>
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<div><a href="https://www.spaceappschallenge.org/2025/local-events/long-beach/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><a href="https://www.spaceappschallenge.org/2025/local-events/long-beach/" target="_blank" class="" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://www.spaceappschallenge.org/2025/local-events/long-beach/</a></a>
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<div><strong>Follow Butterfly Space Rescue card game Instagram page </strong>
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<div><a href="https://instagram.com/butterflyspacerescue" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><a href="https://instagram.com/butterflyspacerescue" target="_blank" class="" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://instagram.com/butterflyspacerescue</a></a>
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<div><strong>Joe's Etsy Shop </strong>
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<div><a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/ButterfliesInSpace" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/ButterfliesInSpace" target="_blank" class="" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://www.etsy.com/shop/ButterfliesInSpace</a></a>
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<div><strong>Joe's Amazon Influencer Store Page</strong>
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<div><a href="https://www.amazon.com/shop/butterfliesin.space" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/shop/butterfliesin.space" target="_blank" class="" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://www.amazon.com/shop/butterfliesin.space</a></a>
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<div><strong>Joe's Amazon Author Page</strong>
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<div><a href="https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B09CDZB2GF" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B09CDZB2GF" target="_blank" class="" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B09CDZB2GF</a></a>
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Support Joe Munisteri to beat Colon Cancer

Support Joe Munisteri to beat Colon Cancer

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