Joel Strong Neuroblastoma Warrior

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Joel Strong Neuroblastoma Warrior Page is dedicated to sharing updates about Joel as we also try to raise awareness about neuroblastoma

A little update on JoJo.Turns out he has Flu A. He's still feeling pretty miserable, running a fever, and barely eating....
10/21/2026

A little update on JoJo.

Turns out he has Flu A. He's still feeling pretty miserable, running a fever, and barely eating. I've offered him just about everything I can think of, but he really doesn't have much of an appetite.

He has been doing a good job of listening to his body and getting lots of rest today. And if you know JoJo, you know that's not like him at all! He's usually full of energy and always on the go. But today he took two naps and then asked to go to bed at 6:00. That alone tells me just how bad he's feeling.

I'm hoping he can get a good night's sleep and that some rest and time will have him feeling better soon.

Today was also Nora's birthday, and while it wasn't exactly how we planned to spend her special day, I want to thank everyone who reached out, checked on her, and helped make her feel extra special. It really meant a lot to both of us.

And thank you to everyone who continues to walk alongside us through all of this. The good days, the hard days, and everything in between. I know we've had a lot of ups and downs over the years, and I'm so grateful for the people who continue to show up, check in, and love on our family. It means more than you know.

We were grateful for this beautiful day so we could spend a little bit of time with Nora on her birthday!

ED visit: 10/20/26We made it home!We were at the ED for about 4 hours total, so really not too bad!JoJo had his port acc...
10/21/2026

ED visit: 10/20/26

We made it home!

We were at the ED for about 4 hours total, so really not too bad!

JoJo had his port accessed and also had to have blood drawn. The blood draw was a surprise, and JoJo was NOT having it. He pretty much shut down and told the nurse it wasn't happening.

Needless to say, it took some convincing.

After all the painful IVs and blood draws he's had over the years, I can't really blame him. But this was a little different. We numbed the spot, and they used a tiny needle that went in and came right back out.

I told him it would feel like one of his friends pinching him. When it was all over, he told me, "You were right."

I'll take that little win!

Tonight brought back way too many hospital memories. It was a lot. I ended up losing it myself at the hospital and just cried and cried. Sometimes I forget just how much of this I carry around until something like tonight brings it all flooding back.

And this sweet guy wanted to sleep on an air mattress right beside my bed tonight. So here he is, as close to me as he can get. I think we both needed that tonight.

I'm just grateful we're home, in our own beds, and not spending another night in the hospital.

Tomorrow is Nora's birthday, and I'm really hoping we can put tonight behind us and enjoy her special day.

Thank you to everyone who checked on us, sent messages, and shared your well wishes tonight. We really do appreciate all the love and support. It means so much to know that so many people are still thinking of JoJo and cheering him on.

ED Visit: 10/20/26Something we haven't had to do in a very long time.JoJo woke up with a fever this morning, and as the ...
10/20/2026

ED Visit: 10/20/26

Something we haven't had to do in a very long time.

JoJo woke up with a fever this morning, and as the day went on, he just kept feeling worse. His fever eventually reached 102.1.

Because he still has his port, a fever of 100.4 means a trip to the ED. There's always the concern of an infection, so we can't take any chances.

We're really hoping this is a quick visit and we can get back home without having to be admitted.

Tomorrow is Nora's birthday, which makes all of this even harder. She was so sad when we had to leave. She just got back to my house yesterday, and I hadn't seen her in over a week. We were all looking forward to being home together. Her dad will spoil her!

It's just hard. And sometimes it feels so unfair.

Hoping for good news and a quick trip home tonight.

The kids are on the plane and headed home! They are exhausted!They spent most of their time at the Ronald McDonald House...
10/17/2026

The kids are on the plane and headed home!
They are exhausted!

They spent most of their time at the Ronald McDonald House New York making new friends, playing, and doing crafts. I think they had just as much fun there as they would have anywhere else in NYC!

It's been a full week and I'm so glad they got to experience it together. Something tells me they will be pretty happy to be back in their own beds tonight!

Thank you to everyone who has checked in, sent messages, prayed for JoJo and supported us through another round of scans.
We are so grateful for the good news and for all the people who continue to show up for our family.
It means more than you know!

Children's Flight of Hope

I've known since last night, but I've been at a conference all day in Wilmington and haven't had a chance to share the g...
10/15/2026

I've known since last night, but I've been at a conference all day in Wilmington and haven't had a chance to share the good news!

JoJo's scans are CLEAR!!

No matter how many times we've done this, the waiting and worrying never get easier. But for now, I can breathe a little easier, and I am so incredibly thankful for that.

And can we talk about these pictures? That picture of Nora and JoJo holding hands while walking down the street near Rockefeller Center just makes my heart so happy.,😍

I'm so glad we were able to make this trip happen for both of them. Seeing them getting to spend this time together, having fun, making memories, and just being brother and sister outside of all the medical stuff means more to me than I can explain. I know this time together is something they'll both remember, and I love knowing they're getting to make these memories together.

I'm so thankful for everyone who helped make this trip possible and for everyone who continues to love and support JoJo. We are extremely grateful!

Another clear scan!
Another chance to breathe a little easier.
And so much to be thankful for. 💛

As you all know, these trips are financially draining on our family. If you feel led to help us it would mean more than you would know.

Ways to help in the comments.

Well, scan day is already off to a good start!They were up bright and early and at the hospital a little before 7 this m...
10/14/2026

Well, scan day is already off to a good start!

They were up bright and early and at the hospital a little before 7 this morning. JoJo has already finished his scan and met with the doctor, and thankfully everything went smoothly!

I'm really glad Nora got to come along this time. I think having her there makes the whole trip a little better and hopefully a little less about the hospital.

Now we wait.....We won't have results right away. We're hoping to hear something this evening, but it could be tomorrow before we know anything.

Hoping and praying for another round of good news!
Thank you all for continuing to think of our boy. I'll update everyone as soon as we know more!

I’ve been looking back at pictures from the beginning tonight (because that's what happens when I can't be there) and it...
10/14/2026

I’ve been looking back at pictures from the beginning tonight (because that's what happens when I can't be there) and it’s hard to believe this has been our life for more than eight years.

JoJo was only 18 months old when he was diagnosed in September 2018. He was so little. We had no idea what was ahead of us then.

Over the years somehow, parts of this have become normal. The trips. The scans. The waiting. Packing bags and heading back to New York again.

But it also never really feels normal.

Dad, Nora and JoJo are in NYC tonight, and tomorrow JoJo has another PET scan. I’m home this time, and I think when I’m not there with him I have a lot more quiet time to sit and think about all of it.

And when I look back at that tiny little boy and then look at him now, it is hard to wrap my head around everything that has happened in between.

Five relapses.
17 rounds of chemotherapy.(Maybe more)
63 radiation treatments.
29 rounds of immunotherapy.
More than 50 PET scans and MRIs.
10 surgeries.

And somehow, through all of that, he has kept growing up.

School. Friends. Playing. Traveling. Laughing. Being a kid. An amazing kid!!

He has now been clear for just over two years, which is the longest he has been clear since this journey started.

That feels huge and also scary.

Tomorrow is still going to be hard. Scan days always are. I don’t think eight years of doing this makes the waiting any easier.

But tonight I just keep looking at these pictures.

That tiny 18-month-old little boy.

And the kid he is now.

So much has happened in between.

Look how far you’ve come, JoJo. I'm so proud to be your Mama!

And they're off to NYC! ✈️JoJo, Nora, and Dad are on their way to New York! They should make it to the Ronald McDonald H...
10/13/2026

And they're off to NYC! ✈️

JoJo, Nora, and Dad are on their way to New York! They should make it to the Ronald McDonald House around 2ish this afternoon and have some time to get settled in.

This was only Nora's second time flying, so she was still a little nervous, but excited! I'm so glad she gets to experience this trip with JoJo. He likes having her there too.

Tomorrow is scan day, so we're hoping and praying for good news! No matter how many times we do this, that part never gets any easier.

As you all know these trips can be financially stressful for us. Even though we have a place at Ronald McDonald House New York and Children's Flight of Hope helps us get there. It is all the extras that can add up.

We are always so grateful for your help, it is one less thing we have to worry about when there is already so much on our minds.

Ways to help in the comments.....

This weekend, JoJo asked me a question that I haven't been able to stop thinking about.“If I get my port out, if I get c...
10/13/2026

This weekend, JoJo asked me a question that I haven't been able to stop thinking about.

“If I get my port out, if I get cancer again, will I be able to get a new one?”

That one broke my heart.

JoJo's port has been bothering him lately, and while he's in New York this week, his team is going to take a look at it. He's nervous about the possibility of having it removed. Not just because of the procedure, but because without his port, future blood draws and scans could mean getting an IV. And for a little boy who has been through so much, that's a really big deal.

But it's the question he asked that has stayed with me.

He's nine years old. He should be thinking about all the things a nine year old boys think about. Instead, somewhere in the back of his mind, he's thinking about what happens if his cancer comes back.

That's one of the hardest things about childhood cancer. Even when things are going well, even when life feels normal again, it never really goes away. It's something our kids carry with them, too.

Tomorrow, JoJo, Nora, and Dad head to New York. His PET scan is Wednesday, and we're hoping and praying for good news and answers about his port and clear scans

I wish more than anything that cancer wasn't something he had to think about anymore.

Please keep our boy in your thoughts this week.

Ways to support Team JoJo:

GoFundMe:
https://gofund.me/9d64f006

Venmo:
-JoJo
https://venmo.com/code?user_id=2589396356300800431&created=1751983392

PayPal:
(Kimberly Carnes)

Google Pay:
[email protected]

Thank you for continuing to carry us through this journey. We are endlessly grateful for this village. 💛💪🎗️

Before Tuesday gets here, I just want to take a minute to say THANK YOU! Because of the kindness and generosity of so ma...
10/11/2026

Before Tuesday gets here, I just want to take a minute to say THANK YOU!

Because of the kindness and generosity of so many of you, Nora gets to go to New York with JoJo and Dad this week!

It means so much to know that JoJo will have his big sister there with him. And while the reason for the trip is something we all wish he didn't have to go through, I love knowing they'll have some time to explore the city, have fun, and make memories together.

Thank you to everyone who donated, shared our posts, or helped make this happen. We are so grateful for the people who continue to show up for our family and love our kids.

You all helped make something really special happen, and we can't thank you enough!

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