Juice Joint Update: Fundraiser Launched for Owner’s Medical Costs

1025 Vermont Ave, NW just north of K St

“Dear PoPville,

I just ran into a former employee in front of the Juice Joint and he told me what had happened.”

From GoFundMe:

“Hi friends!! I’m reaching out for your support.

As many of you may know, I closed my business, Juice Joint Cafe, this past October after 21 years in business. Unfortunately, between declining sales and my health issues, I was unable to sustain the business, which leads me to why I need your support now.

In early March, 2016 i noticed a small lump in my neck. Not having the insurance, time and money to properly evaluate my condition, I just ignored it.

Finally in November I made an appointment with my doctor to have the growth evaluated. In January I was diagnosed with Stage 4 squamous cell cancer. I was devastated and scared that my life was over. When I later learned the it was not terminal, though still scared, I could breath again.

I am having surgery on Friday February 10th at Georgetown Hospital Center. I have a great surgeon. Dr. Bruce Davidson. He is the chairman of the Otolaryngology- Head & Neck surgery department and I feel confident that I’m in good hands.

It’s hard for me to reach out. I need help. My savings are running out. I’m crowdfunding for $20,000 to cover the cancer surgery, medications and recovery. Unfortunately, even assuming all goes well with the cancer, I’ll need to schedule hip and knee replacement surgery ASAP to relieve the debilitating pain I’m in and that caused me not to be able to continue to run the restaurant. I’m estimating that those surgeries will be cost an additional $30,000. For these reasons, I am hoping to raise $75,000 in the following two months to pay these expenses and personal bills.”