Can Cancer be Beaten?
The Joe & Kathy Story
Joe, Kathy, Michael & Laura
In December 1988, Joe became ill again and underwent a second bone marrow harvest after his spleen, enlarged to the size of a football, was removed. The initial harvest from 1986 was damaged during freezing, requiring a new procedure. Joe endured surgery, chemo, and a Hickman line insertion. A successful transplant followed in April 1989, after eleven days of continuous chemotherapy. Recovery was difficult and included long hospital stays and severe side effects.
In 1997, Joe helped coach his daughter Laura’s fast-pitch team, the Duncan Panthers — and boom, they struck gold at Provincials. Not done yet, they did it again in ‘98 at the Summer Games. Joe didn’t stop there; he also helped coach the Pipers men’s fastball team, probably just to keep his own batting average in check.
One of Michael’s funniest memories of his dad was dodging windmill pitches that came at him like rockets. “I was lucky if I didn’t get flattened!” he joked. “My whole body would leap out of the way while my glove hung in the air, miraculously snagging the ball.” Pure chaos — and pure joy. Those were the best times.
Joe survived cancer but suffered a heart attack in November 2000 and continued to manage diabetes and nerve damage. He remained active in his children’s lives, especially coaching Laura’s fastpitch team.
Some of the best therapy Joe had was being home with his children. Kathy has also been involved in the community, leading a 4-H Sewing Club for five years and supporting the Cancer Society. Kathy has always been Joe’s biggest support and that’s what gave Joe the will to keep going on.
In 1984, Joe experienced severe fatigue, pain, and night sweats. After months of tests, he was diagnosed with Stage 4 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and began six months of chemotherapy in Victoria. He continued working through treatment while managing intense side effects.
In 1985, more swollen lymph nodes appeared, and he underwent eight additional months of chemo. In 1986, doctors recommended a bone marrow transplant, but Joe declined after tests came back negative. He soon returned to work, determined to make up for lost time.
Joe, Kathy, Michael & Laura
Despite their challenges, Joe and Kathy remained deeply positive and supportive of each other. Their resilience and commitment continue to inspire those around them.
In July 2022, Joe faced another major health battle and required a kidney transplant. Thankfully his sister was a perfect match and generously donated one of her kidneys. Later that year, in October, Joe contracted COVID 19. Sadly, Joe lost his life on February 24, 2024, at the age of 69 after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. But if you ask those who knew him — his family, teammates, and friends — they’ll tell you: Joe didn’t lose. He lived fully, loved deeply, and never backed down.
Can cancer be beaten? Maybe not always in body — but in spirit, in laughter, in legacy? Absolutely. Joe proved that a life can still be well-lived, even in the face of cancer.
