12/08/2025
As I wrap up my last week fund raising for Rooms of Hope I’m humbled by the people who have donated that I’ve never met personally. As I’ve never met Josy personally. I’ve learned a lot about her though. She’s truly a warrior and I’m reminded that our little frustrations that seem so big and important do not hold a candle to what this young lady has and will endure. Thank you for just reading a little about Josy and why Rooms of Hope is so important to my wife Jennifer and I.
On February 10th, 2025, Josy, just 17 years old, received the heart-wrenching diagnosis of Chondroblastic Osteosarcoma—bone cancer in her mouth. No one should ever have to hear those words at such a young age.
Josy’s recovery journey is tough. Her treatment included starting with 5 rounds of chemotherapy aimed at shrinking the tumor, followed by a significant surgery to remove the cancer which she had late September. The surgery removed her left upper jaw, eye socket, eye and bone between the brain and eye. They believe they were able to successfully remove all the tumor. They then took out her femur bone and did skin graphs to reconstruct. She will be getting radiation 6 weeks following her surgery, and another 5 rounds of chemo after that. Once she is fully healed, she will have a couple more reconstructive surgeries.
Despite these challenges, Josy is incredibly strong, determined, and a fighter. She will beat this and continue pursuing her dreams of going to college and becoming a nurse. Josy and her siblings, Maverick and Aryanna, are also both excited to be part of Rooms of Hope. If there was ever a Rooms of Hope child who needed hope and a healing space to call her own… well Josy is that.
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