Support Joel VanDenbussche in his cancer battle.

My nephew, Joel,  was diagnosed with multiple myeloma cancer in early 2018. He is a 42 year old, single guy, my brother, Ron's, son, and has lived in Arizona for the last 20 years. Multiple myeloma is an incurable cancer in the blood and bone marrow and it has adversely affected Joel with changes to his spine and chronic pain.  My brother Ron, his wife, Patty and their daughter, Robin, Joel's sister, are pictured here.

Joel started cancer treatment in Arizona and worked as much as he still could as a traveling sales rep for the Traeger Grill company. His cancer forced him to resign from his job with no income and he was invited to move back to St. Clair Shores, Michigan to live with his parents for help with his daily living and cancer treatment. That was in February of this year, 2019. Joel drove to Michigan with the help of his friend, Lisa. He arrived in very poor health and was immediately placed in ICU in critical condition at Ascension St. John in Detroit. Miraculously, Joel survived, and has been under very good treatment through the Van Elslander Cancer Center and Karmanos Cancer Center since then.

 Friday, June 28th, Joel entered a several week, inpatient program at Karmanos in Detroit, for a stem cell transplant. This was long awaited and took months of preparation and we are very hopeful for positive results.

Joel has Medicaid coverage for his medical coverage; it is his daily living expenses that he  needs help covering. For example, Joel has a truck he needs to maintain and cover gas and insurance costs. Joel needs help to pay for his clothing, his cell phone and many other out of pocket expenses.

Joel has many aunts, uncles and cousins and so many others all behind him, supporting him and his family. We hope you will join us in wishing him the best possible outcome with your good thoughts, prayers, wishes and support. We are asking you to please spread the word and share this story. You have our sincere gratitude for any potential support you may give.



Patty, Joel's Mom, wants all of you to read this message from her.
This last year has been very emotional for me. Despite the seriousness of my son's situation, I have no other choice than to stay strong and accept it. I am just so thankful he is back home for our love and support. Together we've been at chemo, Dr. appointments, tests and spending time in the hospital. It has been a tough road, but I am so happy to be there for him. I wouldn't want it any other way.
Ron and I want to thank all our family and friends for their kind words,  prayers and donations.