Blog – Joey's Journey Foundation

Blogs

Golf Outing – meet our kiddo!

Ethan Villanueva, a 16-year-old boy from Elwood, is a true fighter. For over a year, Ethan lived with constant pain, but doctors kept telling his family it was just a simple infection. Even after a scan in early 2025, they were told everything was "clear."

The truth came out on October 10, 2025. Ethan was rushed to the ER in unbearable pain, and doctors found a large tumor. Because it was missed for so long, the cancer had already spread to his bones and lungs. What could have been caught early at Stage 1 was now Stage 4.

Instead of celebrating his 16th birthday with friends, Ethan spent it in a hospital room, starting his first round of chemotherapy. Since that day, he has faced four different types of chemo and weeks of radiation. Even when the medicine stops working and the news is bad, Ethan refuses to back down. He told his family, “I’m too young to die. I’m going to fight until I can’t anymore.”

As a single mom of four, Kamry stays by Ethan’s side through every hospital stay, often traveling hours away for his care. Your support at Joey’s Journey helps this family keep going and gives Ethan the chance to keep fighting for the future he deserves.

Nov 11

Student Visionary of the Year!

By Jen Beahrs

Joey’s turn for the Student Visionary of the Year campaign, running from January 15 to March 6, for general donations. We can talk about sponsorships starting now! As many of you know, when I was 10 years old, I fought Hodgkins lymphoma. At that same time, my cousin, Adam, was battling Leukemia. Needless to…

Nov 07

Superman

By Jen Beahrs

For those of you who remember Jacob Smith, it is with profound sadness that I share the news of his passing. Please find his obituary by clicking HERE. We were privileged to sponsor Jacob’s family in 2022. Since then, they have continued to give back to the community we serve. Each year, they have…