Joe Christensen

As his family and friends, we are raising money for a very special young man, Joe Christensen. Joe is a Manufacturing Technology student at the University of Northern Iowa, currently beginning his junior year.  He has a loving fiancee, Allie and a family who adores him. He also has thyroid cancer that has spread to his lungs and lymph nodes. He undergoes exhausting chemotherapy treatments in hopes it will reduce the tumors and give him a chance to fight for his life. 100% of the monies donated in Joe’s name will be used to cover housing, transportation, and daily living needs and give him a chance to make his schooling and treatments his main priority.


A little more about Joe:
As his family watched and listened, an intense, passionate engineering student explained the intricacies of computer imaging and design at his job in the 3D printing and manufacturing lab. “Joe's level of excitement became greater and greater. As we were leaving, Joe had about 15 minutes of working time left when his boss asked him if he could do a job that just came in. With the same level of excitement he said yes and we were out the door,” according to his namesake and grandfather Joe Evans. 


Joe puts his all into everything he does: schooling, family, music and his relationships with others. His Aunt Erin related, “Joe is driven. He has an idea, makes a plan, and works the plan.  School and career is a perfect example.  He knows what he wants to do with his life and is driven towards the goal.”


These sentiments are a theme with his family. He is known as the family member to never leave anyone out as he is kind and thoughtful. “Joe is the kind of guy who genuinely cares about those around him. As his cousin, I have spent almost my whole life with him, growing up and becoming the adults we are now. Throughout our lives, he has been a person that is always there for me, regardless of how much time has passed since we last talked or saw each other. I remember when we would go on walks together or stay up after when everyone else fell asleep to talk about anything that came to our minds. He is one of the most important people in my life, and I would not be the person I am today without him by my side throughout the last 21 years.”


Recently, Joe became engaged to his sweetheart of several years, Allie. Her mother gushed with pride and love for Joe.  "These two have been more loving and respectful beyond their years to each other. Strange maybe to say this but even more than thoughtful of each other, they are careful with each other...their first thought for the other one is "how can I make your life better, more content". 


Reading these passages, anyone can see that Joe has a great future in store for him. Everything is perfectly mapped out and waiting for the next moment, except for that one thing. In early April 2016, Joe was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of thyroid cancer that had spread to his lungs.  By May, Joe had surgery to remove the large tumor from his thyroid. They had to remove the entire thyroid and further tests showed cancer cells on the lymph nodes and in the lungs. Currently, Joe is undergoing a lifelong journey of chemotherapy to hopefully reduce the size of the tumors and slow the growth of new tumors.


Your help will give him a fighting chance. Joe deserves a chance to complete his goals and dreams. Your donation will help him on the road to recovery so he can make them  happen.