[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 183 (Tuesday, November 29, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1186]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          HONORING JOE MOTTLOW

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. TOM EMMER

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 29, 2022

  Mr. EMMER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to share the story of a fellow 
Minnesotan, Joe Mottlow.
  On Wednesday June 14, 2017, Joe, (aka- JoeJoe Tough as he's become 
known since his battle began), was admitted to the hospital with an 
enlarged spleen. Within the next few days Joe, a previously healthy 35-
year-old, learned he had a type of leukemia called ALL (b-cell) IGH 
which carried with it a measly 15 percent two-year survival rate for 
adults.
  While he and his mom sat stunned after the doctor left the room, Joe 
said, ``great news about Mark and Natalie!'' That morning his cousin 
and wife announced they were pregnant with their first child. Joe's mom 
began to cry and Joe just consoled her saying, ``let's just have fun 
with this.'' That's Joe. Always thinking about those he loves.
  This was the beginning of a 5\1/2\ year rolling coaster ride full of 
laughs, fears, cries and camaraderie--a ride that still continues. Joe, 
a guy who has never met a stranger, is a different kind of fellow. The 
most unaverage average Joe you will ever meet--and if you do meet him, 
know this, he'll never forget YOU. Because not only will you learn his 
story, he'll learn your story as well.
  Originally it was thought a bone marrow transplant was going to be 
his cure. Thankfully Joe's brother was a 100 percent match and the 
transplant seemed to do the trick and cure Joe. Unfortunately, this 
dreaded pest not only came back, but continued to come back 5 more 
times. Having a nearly incurable type of leukemia for an adult, Joe has 
willingly been a trailblazer, trying out new treatments and old 
treatments used in new ways, to help not only try to cure him, but 
hopefully open up the door to curing many others. Joe has endured a 
grueling chemo regiment, two different newer immunotherapy treatments, 
an experimental CAR-T trial that brought him out to Seattle, another 
bone marrow transplant and yet another CAR-T trial right in our own 
backyard at the University of MN. Joe was only the 21st person to 
attempt this particular type of cure. This one worked for over a year, 
but this summer Joe learned the beast was back and his time was short. 
He was told that modern medicine could only hope to promise him three 
to six months. Joe's bucket list is now the priority--a list filled 
with connections to others.
  Early on in this journey, his Aunt Allison took Joe to the clinic and 
observed that cancer does not discriminate. Looking around the waiting 
room there were rich and poor, young and old. If it wants you, it gets 
you. She also watched Joe connecting with those in the waiting room. So 
many stories have been told about Joe helping other patients get 
through their cancer nightmares. Get up. Get dressed. Smile. Live.
  Joe's smile and inspiration have not gone unnoticed. Joe's doctors 
let the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society know about this amazing guy their 
patients kept talking about. How this guy just started talking to them 
while they sat in the clinic, full of anxiety and sadness, and the next 
thing they knew they are laughing, talking the uncomfortable 
conversations of their cancer journey, and finding camaraderie. Joe has 
started group outings and text chains bringing cancer warriors together 
to support and love one another. These groups brought diverse unlikely 
people together and have made all their lives richer for having cancer 
and learning to dig deep to find friendship and grace in the process.
  Accolades have come Joe's way. The Leukemia/Lymphoma Society 
nominated Joe for ``Man of the Year'' 2020, and recently honored him 
with their prized ``Lifetime Achievement'' award. One of Joe's clinic 
buddies wanted to thank the U of M for saving his life, but realized 
science was only part of his success. This buddy felt JoeJoe Tough gave 
him the fight and positivity that pushed him over the finish line and 
is now working with the U to develop a virtual workout motivational 
program that will soon be available to patients. When completed, it 
will be named in Joe's honor.
  Accolades are wonderful, but it's the love and support Joe has 
received from his army of JoeJoe Toughens that has humbled and inspired 
him. Who has over 2000 friends? Friends, not donors, wanting something 
from you--but ride or die type friends? Joe does. Why? Because he is 
``that'' friend we all want and is so hard to find. Joe listens and 
hears others, and that is what makes Joe an unaverage average Joe.

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