Support Joe Schneider's Battle Against Cancer

Please mark your calendar and join us Saturday, May 3rd, for a Spaghetti Dinner and Silent Auction Fundraiser at Jack and Jims in Duelm. Lots of fun activities will happen from 3 -9 PM. If you need more information or have questions, please post them here and we will reply.

Please help us raise money for Joe Schneider. If you have ever met Joe, you know he is an optimistic, happy, all-around good guy! A wonderful father, brother, and friend! Joe has worked in the transportation business for more than 40 years. He enjoys the challenge of planning efficient routes and working with drivers to get kids to school safely on time. (He still loves driving the bus the most!) Joe is also the "go-to guy" if you need something diagnosed or fixed on a vehicle, and he's a darn good cribbage player!

Joe has 3 grown children - Brianna, Amanda, and Thomas - and three "step" children Laura, Connie, and Cathy, from his wife Diane, who died in June 2020. He is also the 10th of 12 siblings! He has a lot of people who love him and are rooting for him (praying for him!) as he continues to navigate the challenges and costs of healthcare! Here is his story:

After an ongoing battle with a mysterious cough for over 6 months, Joe was finally diagnosed with well-differentiated liposarcoma in January of 2023. Doctors discovered three tumors growing in his abdomen, one of which had gotten so big it was pushing on his diaphragm and triggering the cough. Doctors removed the tumors (including the largest at 14 lbs) on March 16, 2023, at North Memorial Hospital.

One year later, new tumors appeared on his quarterly scans. His medical team rushed to schedule a second surgery, which took place on May 30, 2024. These tumors were more aggressive, and doctors had to remove parts of Joe’s small intestine. When he went in for his next scans three months later, the scans showed the cancer had once again grown back. After more tests and discussion, in December 2024, he was referred to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester. In January, he began receiving treatment from a team that specializes exclusively in liposarcomas. Joe is currently completing five weeks of daily radiation in Rochester , and is blessed to have a room at the Hope Lodge, which is funded by the American Cancer Society. He can have a family member stay with him which is another blessing! He will complete this treatment on March 31st followed by his 3rd surgery.

This 3rd surgery on May 2, 2024, is considered radical because the surgeon will be removing the right kidney and all parts of the small and large intestines that have come into contact with the tumors. Essentially, they will be removing most of the intestines on the right side of his abdomen. Recovery from this surgery will be long and challenging with an expected hospital stay of 10+ days.

With all of the ongoing health concerns, the battle for insurance coverage has been its own challenge! Joe’s high-deductible insurance plan means that he has incurred thousands of dollars in expenses each year even for in-network treatment. Adding to that financial burden, the Mayo Clinic - where the experts in this type of cancer are located - is outside his insurance network.

Joe had been able to keep working around the first two surgeries, but the radiation treatment and radical nature of his third surgery have forced him to take a medical leave since treatment began. His unpaid FMLA leave will partially cover insurance premiums through May, but his recovery and follow-up treatment is expected to be ongoing, leaving more financial uncertainty ahead.

Please consider donating to help Joe cover his medical expenses and support him through this challenging time.

Prayers are needed daily and are very appreciated. Thank you!