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Joe, 35, and Laura, 31, will be married 10 years this October. They have 2 wonderful children, Joey, 6 and Courtney 3. Just like many people right now, they are struggling to get though this hard time and raise a family on a limited income.  Unfortunately in mid November 2009 Joe was diagnosed with testicular cancer.

The type of testicular cancer is nonseminomas and mostly effects men between the ages of 15-35. Nonseminomas tend to grow and spread fast. It normally spreads to the stomach, lungs, and brain. It is actually the same kind of cancer that Lance Armstrong, won his battle of cancer against. Over 7,500 men are diagnosed every year with testicular cancer; however it is 95% curable, if caught early.

If getting this horrible disease is not enough Joe does not have health insurance. Joe works very hard, he was employed full-time during the day and work part time in the evenings, however without any benefits. At the end of 2009 his full-time employer filed bankruptcy. So now, they are faced with fighting the toughest battle of their lives this far, with the constant worry of how they are going to pay for his treatments, surgery and continue to support their family.

Laura is a stay at home mom raising her children. Joey is in first grade and Courtney is in preschool. She has tried to get back into the workforce with no luck, but is not giving up. She would like to go back to college to receive a degree in the medical field. Laura is a very strong woman who is trying to keep her family positive and confident that they will make it through this hard time.

Joe has already had one surgery and two rounds of chemotherapy, where he spent 6 days straight in the hospital, just before Christmas and he just finish the second round last week. He is doing good, as of right now the cancer has not spread. He is continuing to do some chemotherapy in the form of a shot for the next couple weeks.

Joe and Laura are always the first people to step up and volunteer when anyone needs it or have always lent a helping hand. They have a very long road ahead of them plus I know they’re a strong family and with the continuous prayers and support of their family, friends, and very giving strangers they will get through this. Stronger than ever!

As you can imagine the bills are mounting, the day to day expenses are growing between medical bills, mortgages and other living expenses. So since all of this has happen I have formed a foundation in order to help them, she is my best friend and I need to do what I can.

The name of the foundation is “Friends Helping Friends Foundation, Inc.” We are going to have a benefit on February 21, 2010 in order to raise some money to help them get through this hard time. However I’m still working out all of the minor details, but it will be at Mixteca Mexican Grill & Tequila Bar, 1390 S Eastwood Dr., Woodstock, Illinois 60098, the owner has offered to let us use the restaurant for the benefit and all of the money raised on food will be donated to the family. We are trying to get donations in any form, monetary, gift certificates, sporting event tickets or gift baskets to auction off.

We would be so grateful for any kind of help at all. It would mean so much to a great family.