Joliet Police Officer Battles Esophagus Cancer: GoFundMe

JOLIET, IL — A GoFundMe was launched this week in hopes of raising $50,000 to help Joliet Police Officer Joe Hernandez, who has lost 100 lbs since being diagnosed with esophagus cancer last August.

A traffic patrol officer, the 36-year-old Hernandez has not been able to work at the Joliet Police Department since last October. Joliet Police Department officials notified Patch that Hernandez has been granted a disability pension by the pension board.

"As many of you may not know, Joe at the age of 36 has stage 4 esophagus cancer that spread to his abdominal lining," this week's GoFundMe announced. "Last August he was diagnosed with esophageal cancer and through chemotherapy, he thought he beat it as the doctors told him it was in remission. Some of the cancer cells stuck and grew in the stomach lining area, making this a terminal diagnosis. He went from 220lbs to less than 120lbs today."

According to the GoFundMe organizers, Hernandez's personal time off has run out, and he is no longer collecting his full salary. He and his wife, Anna, have been married nine years and they have three sons, ages 12, 6 and 4."

Since the GoFundMe was launched this week, $12,610 has been raised by 108 donors. If you want to donate or learn more, visit the "Joe's Journey from Cop to Cancer" GoFundMe here.

GoFundMe is a Patch partner