Josh Welch Memorial and Support Fund

Hello, my name is Abby Welch. I am creating a GoFundMe on behalf of our children, Makiah and Aiyana Welch. I am the mother to our two daughters, ex-wife, and close friend of Josh Welch. It is with the heaviest heart that I

am writing this GoFundMe after the father of our children, Josh Welch "Welch," lost his battle to this cruel, loveless disease so many of us have been affected by, Cancer. Josh passed away on December 8, 2023, just shy of five short months after his devastating diagnosis. Josh was surrounded by his family and showered with love in his final moments.

On July 20, Josh went to our local ER with very intense rib pain and shortness of breath and was immediately admitted. After multiple scans, tests, and biopsies, the results showed Josh had a significant size mass on his left lung. Josh thought, how could this be? Just days earlier, he had been working and exercising. We patiently waited for the pathology reports, and Josh was focused on staying positive for himself and our daughters. On July 28, Josh was given the devastating news that he had Cancer. Josh was diagnosed with SMARCA4-deficient, undifferentiated tumor. Josh did a lot of research on this specific Cancer, and what he learned was that this is a very rare and very aggressive Cancer—carrying a poor prognosis with a life expectancy after diagnosis of just three to seven months. To date, there are only 100 case studies of this Cancer type and no known survivors. Still, Josh was determined to fight! Determined to live!

Josh was put on a regimen of Chemotherapy and Immunotherapy treatments. The hope was to shrink the mass in his lung enough to perform a partial lobectomy. Sadly, just after two treatments, on October 21, Josh suffered a stroke due to complications of his Cancer. Josh was transported to Stanford. The doctors explained that the mass was not responding to treatment, and the Cancer had spread to Josh's other organs and was now terminal. On October 23, Josh was released from Stanford and admitted to Hospice with just weeks to months to live. Josh came home to spend his final time with his family, friends, and Tucker, his dog.

Josh was an amazing father, friend, and son who never failed to put a smile on someone's face and never failed to see the beauty in things, even in the ugliest situations. Josh was outgoing, kind, caring, and funny, with a contiguous laugh. Josh enjoyed working on his cars and motorcycles, and no project was too big to take on. Josh loved the outdoors and enjoyed going on mountain bike rides and hiking Moon Rocks with his daughters. Josh was an extremely proud father who worked towards giving his daughters a life full of love and unforgettable memories. Josh loved his dog Tucker "Tuck Tuck. " He moved through his diagnosis with grace and made the most of the time he had left with his friends and loved ones. Josh was brave, even in the scariest moments, he was strong. Having Josh in our lives and being a part of his was truly a privilege. Josh will forever be missed and loved, but he will never be forgotten. We love you, Josh.

Nothing could have prepared Josh or his family for this. Josh and I were not financially prepared for the life-changing situation. Creating this GoFundMe was at the request of Josh before he passed. Josh did not want the financial struggles he knew we would be facing.

All donations would be used to support our daughter's education, daily expenses, lost wages, and Memorial/Cremation services for Josh.

Lastly, I want to thank all of Josh's friends who showered him with love and came to visit in his final days. He spoke of you often and loved you all dearly. Josh, this is not a goodbye but rather until we meet again.

Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers.