It only took one conversation with Barack Obama for an ordinary blue-collar guy to become a Tea Party celebrity.
His given name, Joe Wurzelbacher, might not ring any bells. But anyone who was paying attention in the Obama years will certainly remember ‘Joe The Plumber’.
Here is a clip where he is talking about his now-famous on-camera meeting with Obama, in which Obama defended raising the taxes of some small business owners to benefit the rest.
Joe Wurzelbacher has recently received some bad news. Cancer.
Here’s a quick summary:
Toledo native, Joe “The Plumber” Wurzelbacher, was recently diagnosed with Stage 3 Pancreatic cancer. Joe is a Military Veteran and is receiving treatment at the Ann Arbor VA Hospital as well as the University of Michigan Hospital. Joe’s wife, Katie, explains: “Joe had been having stomach issues for about 3 months, which eventually became painful. On December 26th, he’d had enough of the pain and we went to the VA emergency room in Ann Arbor. They ran tests and performed scans which showed a mass in the head of his pancreas. The mass was restricting one of his biliary ducts, so they classified it as Stage 3 cancer. They also found that his SMV had a large blood clot. His current treatment plan is 6 months of Folfirinox chemotherapy and surgery to remove half of his pancreas and reconstruct the vein with the clot.”
Katie continues, “The treatment has been a little tough so far. He deals with fatigue and weakness daily, which makes it hard for him to go to work. The oncologist has made adjustments to his chemo which has provided a little relief of the constant nausea he had after his first two treatments. Since all his issues and treatment began, he’s lost 70 pounds.”
[A few wonderful paragraphs about his life’s journey since politics, some details about his condition, and the role he’s had with his friends and family pivot to the following fundraising appeal to help with his medical expenses.]As a community of friends, we have set up this Medical Campaign to support Joe and Katie during these months when Joe is not able to work. We are hoping to raise funds for monthly expenses and are asking for the incredible blessing of helping secure funds and volunteer skill workers to help finish their basement for Joe’s dad. From Joe, Katie and all their family and friends, “Thank you so much!”
His ‘Give Send Go’ page can be viewed here.
Prayers up for Joe and his family.
And for those so inclined, the fundraiser is now up to about $20k toward the $50k goal for coverage of his treatment.
