“Being with people who understand,” is what Joey, age 12, said when asked what his favorite part is of the Histio Hike Ohio. Last year Joey was able to meet dozens of other kids, and even a few adults, who also have a form of Histiocytosis. Joey has Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis. His white blood cells attacked and ate his hip bone. He had to get a bone graft, was in a wheelchair for quite some time, took high doses of steroids and pain meds and two years later still does physical therapy. He has been in and out of the hospital over the last two years, has regular check ups in oncology for his cancer-like disease and still deals with unexplained debilitating pain that can last weeks, even months at a time.

Some of the kids he has met have gone through intensive chemotherapy and steroid treatment, received bone marrow and/or organ transplants, have had to move away from their friends and family to get treatment at an out of state hospital and so much more.

This disease can attack any of these kids, including Joey, again at any time. It can attack their bones, skin or organs. It’s just like cancer (Read: At Least it’s Not Cancer). There is no known cause and no known cure. The one comfort these kids get is when they can come together and feel normal, even if it’s just a weekend in Shawnee State Park for Histio Hike Ohio Sept 26-28.

We are in the process of forming Team Super Joey for this year’s hike. We have set a goal to raise $1000. There are two ways you can help us raise the money and find a cure for Joey and his friends.

1.  Buy a 2014 Team Super Joey Tshirt. Cost is $15 or four for $50. They come in youth and adult sizes. You can buy via paypal (gina5620@gmail.com), be sure to put your size, quantity and address. You can also email gina5620@gmail.com with your order.

2. Make an online donation to sponsor Joey in the Histio Hike Ohio by clicking here (this is a tax write off).

Please help us find a cure and buy a T-shirt and/or make a donation today.

#TeamSuperJoey