This is very exciting as it will certainly bring in more publicity and donations. By getting the word out to the local community via the newspaper and then viral advertising by people learning about donating they can then come to the Friends Helping Friends Foundation website and donate, Tweet, or add to their Facebook accounts.

We are not exactly sure at this point when the Pioneer Press Norridge-Harwood Heights News article will be published or if there is going to be a picture along with the article but we will keep you posted so you can check it out.

If anyone needs flyers to put out to advertise for the benefit please contact us and we will do our best to get you what you need. The benefit is getting closer every day and all of us are excited.

So watch for the paper or keep in contact with friends that will let you know when the article will appear.

Thanks again for everyone that has helped Joe and Laura in a time when “true” friends are really needed the most!

Please check it out at this link:

Gruber Family Benefit Flier

Thank you,

We just wanted to add a quick post describing what “Friends Helping Friends Foundation Inc.” is all about. We are positive that everyone knows someone or a family that has had times in their life where they need some short term financial help in order to get through the hard times until they are able to financially get back on their feet, so to speak.

Friends Helping Friends Foundation Inc. was founded to bring friends of those that need financial help together in a caring community and provide the necessary assistance. Yes, we are an official corporation and we are a “not for profit” organization with all the necessary legal paperwork documentation. If you have any questions or comments please use the “Contact Us Form.”

As our site continues to grow we will be adding new ways to help our friends raise the funds necessary or to give out any pertinent information on fund raisers, raffles, ways to donate, etc.

We would like to welcome all of you that come to our site to help your friends in times that because of special circumstances are finding out that there they have “true” friends that love them and care wholeheartedly about them no matter what.

Please find our site not only a place to visit and donate but also a site where you can come and feel good knowing that there are many people with their hearts in the right place by helping friends without hesitation.

Thank you,

The Friends Helping Friends Foundation Inc. Team

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.