Extol Sports September 2017 | Page 39

“ YOU CANNOT LIVE IN FEAR OF ( CANCER ), YOU LIVE IN SPITE OF IT .”

– Joey Cecil
Grade IV glioblastoma , the most advanced phase of the relatively uncommon disease .
The numbers associated with that prognosis do not make for light reading : While it generally affects older patients , most people survive somewhere between 14 months and 3 years , with just 10 percent of people affected living beyond five years , according to the American Brain Tumor Association . But Joey isn ’ t interested in the numbers . He lives by a motto of “ defying the stats ” and he does something every day that puts himself a step ahead of the disease , be it improving his diet or taking a walk . He ’ s also an avid bowler ( he has more than a dozen perfect games and a state championship to his name ) and Louisville City FC fan .
Joey has taken a hiatus from his work at the Community Services department of Louisville Metro Government – where he served as a financial educator for low- and middle-income families – while he gets adjusted to his medication . He has used the time to both reconnect with friends and spread awareness about glioblastoma , but he is eager to return to his work , something he aims to do by October .
When you see Joey , the only indication he has a terminal disease would be the Optune device he wears around his head most days , a component of his treatment that ’ s used in concert with chemotherapy .
Battling any disease can be expensive . So , Joey ’ s friends made t-shirts bearing the words “ Love My Joey ” to sell with proceeds going toward medical costs . Additionally , the Louisville Coopers – LouCity ’ s supporters – have jumped on board showing support by way of banners , promotion of the t-shirts and much more .
“ I love to see the shirts out there , but what I ’ m ( most concerned with ) is people learning about this disease ,” Joey said .
Since glioblastoma is terminal , his student loan company has forgiven his loans from his history and political science bachelor degrees from Bellarmine and public administration master ’ s from the University of Louisville . He also has an open invitation to attend Louisville City training sessions , which was extended to him by Coach James O ’ Connor .
Joey ’ s relationship with the team started back in 2015 , when he worked as a game-day intern to help his Trinity classmate and then-communication director Steve Peake . During Joey ’ s recovery at Norton Hospital , the team sent Joey a get-wellsoon video , and he has had a personal relationship with many of the players since .
“( I have been happy ) to see everyone in my life who wants to step up and help out ,” Joey said .
Despite facing a daunting outcome , “( I am ) happy that it ’ s happened ,” he admitted . “ I wouldn ’ t change anything .”
Instead of looking down the road , Joey takes things a day at a time . He ’ s talked to other people with the same diagnosis and found that “ a lot of people with these diagnoses get bogged down , looking too far down the road instead of just doing what they can control .”
Like most anyone , Joey has a bucket list of sports – he ’ d like to visit London to see Chelsea play and take in the Masters , among other goals – but he ’ s not allowing himself to consider “ I might not be here next year . … You cannot live in fear of ( cancer ), you live in spite of it .”
For more information on Joey ’ s battle , visit www . LoveMyJoey . com .