Support Joe & Family On His Road to Recovery

My brother Joe, whom many of you know as a deeply committed husband, father, brother, coach, and friend, is currently facing one of the greatest challenges of his life. He’s always been known for his big heart, goofy sense of humor and larger-than-life presence. However, in November 2023, Joe began experiencing chronic pain, inflammation, and fatigue. Despite consulting numerous medical doctors (including Mayo Clinic), he remained undiagnosed. His condition worsened rapidly, leading to significant weight loss, muscle atrophy and debilitating pain that severely impacts the use of his hands and ability to walk. Finally, in August 2024, after undergoing extensive functional medicine testing, Joe received a diagnosis of advanced Lyme’s disease, mold toxicity and manifestations of Scleroderma.

In October 2024, Joe was determined to walk his daughter down the aisle at her wedding, but since then, his health has declined significantly. Joe has lost 80 pounds and is now largely confined to his recliner requiring full-time care. He experiences excruciating pain in his legs and rarely is able to leave his home outside of medical appointments and treatments. He deeply misses attending his sons’ SJU basketball games.

This difficult time has also brought significant financial strain. In September 2024, Joe was laid off from his job of 11 years due to a company merger. Because of his illness, Joe is unable to work. While he has applied for disability and Social Security benefits, the process is lengthy and has yet to yield any results.

In addition to substantial out-of-pocket medical expenses, the mold toxicity required extensive remediation and repairs totaling more than $25,000. While further mold testing is recommended to fully address the problem, it has been postponed due to cost. We continue to remain concerned that any further mold exposure could further complicate his recovery.

Joe has a long and challenging road ahead. Despite the ongoing search for effective treatments, many unknowns still exist regarding his condition. Currently doctors project a minimum of 12 to 18 months of treatment for symptomatic relief followed by 6 to 12 months of rehabilitative care to return to some normalcy. Unfortunately, most of these necessary treatments are not covered by standard insurance plans.

If you know Joe, you know how difficult it is for him to ask for help. After many months of consideration, he finally agreed to let us make this request on behalf of him, Tina, and their kids. We are deeply grateful to Tina and the kids who have worked tirelessly to care for Joe. Their unwavering support is a testament to their profound love for each other. Our hope is to alleviate the immense stress they are under. Each donation will help supplement medical treatments, physical therapy, transportation costs and daily living expenses as he works towards recovery.

Despite the insurmountable obstacles Joe has faced, I am inspired by his unwavering faith, determination, and strength. We would be grateful for any financial support you are able to offer. Please also consider sharing Joe’s story but, most importantly, Joe asks that you keep him, Tina, and their kids in your prayers. Faith is extremely important to Joe, and he often says he “collects prayers.”