Help Joel Liss Fight Cancer

Joel Liss is a thirty-four year old dedicated father, and passionate business owner who now finds himself living with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. No journey through cancer treatment is a straight line, and so far, Joel’s is no exception. In early June, Joel was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma affecting his lymphatic system. Shortly after his first chemo treatment, he started to experience digestive issues, and it was discovered that he had a life threatening bowel obstruction that required emergency surgery, resulting in an ileostomy. Although the hope is the ileostomy will be reversed after chemotherapy is complete, Joel was unable to resume treatment for approximately 5 weeks after surgery. The nature of the ileostomy procedure has also severely limited his physical abilities due to the 6-8 week recovery time. The delays in resuming chemotherapy, combined with the inability to work, have only added to the stress of battling lymphoma, which has continued to worsen over the past few weeks.

Shining a ray of light on the situation is Joel’s four-year-old daughter, Charlie. Joel is a dedicated father to her and they share a close bond, enjoying their “dadventures” together visiting museums, libraries and flea markets, or simply playing hot wheels and reading stories together at home. Other important figures in their lives are Joel’s parents, Pat and Jamie Liss, who are helping to care for and support them throughout treatment. Continuing to provide a loving and stable home for Charlie during this time has been the utmost priority for the family, and they’re trying hard to teach her about lymphoma and make her as comfortable with the treatment process as possible.

Another passion of Joel’s is metalworking. With an early talent and creative mind, Joel has been self-employed in the business since he was 22, and continues to be with NameLiss Workshop. Self-employment has always been an important platform for Joel, offering creative space and flexibility, but as a one-man operation it doesn’t lend itself well to medical emergencies and expenses. Although the chemo treatment is covered through health care, unexpected medication expenses and time off of work needed to go to numerous appointments, and more importantly, resting and recovering, are not. Since his work is labor-intensive and often hazardous, continuing to operate his business while being treated is not advisable, and substitute income would help alleviate the stress from this as well as ensure that his business will be intact when he fully recovers.

Despite all that Joel has gone through so far, he has remained remarkably positive, but easing the burden of financial stress would help immensely so Joel and his family may focus on his health and recovery. We’ve started this campaign to raise funds to provide an income to cover expenses while he continues his treatment, and hope that you are able to contribute any amount possible for them.