Support Joseph Jackson's Battle with Leukemia

Joseph Jackson, a beloved member of Vero Beach, was recently diagnosed with an aggressive cancer called Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). This cancer is so aggressive that when Joseph had his annual physical in November 2024, the blood work showed no indication that anything was wrong. In January 2025, Joseph started to feel ill and by the time he was diagnosed, the disease had become very advanced. Treatment for AML must be done in an in-patient setting and is best done in a research hospital like the Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa.

Since Joseph is a veteran, he started this journey at the Thomas Corey VA Medical Center in West Palm Beach. His doctors there were completely focused on getting Joseph what he needed and in early March, they got him admitted into the James A. Haley Veterans Hospital in Tampa for the first step, induction therapy. The Veterans Administration has been instrumental in making sure he gets the proper treatment without any sort of administrative delay. In addition, they have set up living accommodations for his wife Debra so she can provide the necessary support for Joseph.

Joseph, a resident of Vero Beach since 1992 and a self-employed painter, has painted the inside and outside of over 1,000 homes and businesses. This leukemia has put him on the sidelines for the foreseeable future. His wife Debra, a patient advocate for a local vascular surgeon, has also had her earning potential severely curtailed. The situation with Joseph requires her to be present in Tampa 4-5 days a week. She is doing all she can but can only make a small percentage of their monthly expenses of $3,000-$3,500.

Joseph and Debra have been part of the Indian River recovery community for over 30 years. They have selflessly helped hundreds of local men and women deal with their drug addiction and alcoholism. There has been a great outpouring of prayer and well wishes from all of their friends and family and now it’s time for the community to assist with financial support.

Debra and Joseph are strong believers in the Higher Power, God. They have turned their will and their lives over to the care of God and are now asking Him for provision. Would you like to help them meet their immediate needs? Thank you for whatever assistance you’re able to provide.