My name is Buffy. I'm starting this to help support my brother, Joe Alves Jr. through his long recovery. On June 30th, Joe had a feeding tube placed in his small intestines so he could gain weight so doctors could fix an SMA that was keeping him from eating. On July 11th he was rushed in to emergency surgery to find that he developed a rare condition that was damaging his small intestine and causing his kidneys and liver to shut down. On July 13th when they went back in they weren't optimistic. He had a 50/50 chance of making it through the night. He has been in the hospital since June 30th. He is still facing atleast 1 more surgery to fix the SMA and a long recovery from being malnourished and at deaths door. Joe has a large heart for helping others and hates asking for help.

Joe has spent over 20 years serving his community as an Adams forest warden, EMT, and advanced EMT across Berkshire County, always putting others first. His career was tragically cut short by a severe back injury sustained in the line of duty. Known for his generosity and compassion, Joe would give anyone the shirt off his back and never ask for help himself—which is why we’re asking for him now.