Teamjoeeitl

11/06/2025

If you’re local…pop in…we’ll be there from Noon - 3pm next Sunday 11/16/25!!

11/06/2025

November 16th…noon to 3pm

11/02/2025

💙💚💙💚💙💚💙💚💙💚💙💚💙💚💙1,801 Days Post-Transplant

It’s been a long time since I’ve posted here, but this community (God I love this community) got us through some really tough times. For more than a year, I shared the good, the bad and the ugly every single day. I found writing cathartic, but more important, I found and felt the love and support of this community in each like, love and comment.

Well…here we are, about to celebrate 5 years from Joe’s combined heart & liver transplant!! Crazy, I know.

Joe has been the best steward of his gift of life. He exercises every day. Works out with a trainer twice a week, walks 10k-20k steps a day; has participated in track & field, LDW and Bocce in Special Olympics; has returned to his part-time job at Innovative’s warehouse; has maintained his lifelong friendships… and welcomed a niece to the family. Joe is a loving and dedicated “Uncle Joe”.

We’ve packed a lot of living into these years, but have never lost sight of just how lucky we are to be here. Another family suffers every day over the loss of their child. We pray for them and remain eternally grateful for Joe’s Gift of Life.

On November 16th, we will celebrate Joe’s 5 year anniversary at our favorite local business, the Collegeville Italian Bakery. We want to include those of you who are local and have lent your hearts to this journey. Please message me for specifics.




💙💚💙💚💙💚💙💚💙💚💙💚💙💚💙

11/09/2024

Haven’t posted in a long time, but as we approach Joe’s 4th anniversary, we had an opportunity to share Joe’s story on a Gift of Life podcast. Here’s the promo…maybe we can reach someone who needs encouragement to consider organ donation or help someone on their own transplant journey.

The first Down Syndrome Heart Transplant Recipient ever joins the podcastLISTEN to 'The Gift of Life' Podcast with BJ Odom @ lnk.to/giftoflife ...

05/18/2024

Update:
Well Mother Nature didn’t cooperate, but Joe didn’t let anything rain on his parade. He came away with a Gold, a Silver and placed 5th in the 100 m.

Thank you to all the Coaches, volunteers and Rotary…and Joe’s brother, sister and BIL for making it a great day. 😊

Pictures added.

🏃🧡🖤🏃🧡🖤🏃🧡🖤🏃🧡🖤🏃🧡🖤
5/18/2024 - 1,272 Days Post-Transplant

There have been so many proud moments in this young man’s life…you’d think I wouldn’t get all emotional, but this one warranted tears of joy!

Today, Joe competes in his first Special Olympics track & field running events. Big deal? You bet!!

When he told us he wanted to sign up for track & field, we didn’t think he was serious. We didn’t appreciate the magnitude, nor the motivation. Now we do.

Joe walks every day…still doing 10k-20k. He works with a weight trainer twice a week…and now he’s training for these events. He’s doing this because he can…and we couldn’t be prouder!

Will update as the day goes on. ❤️

05/01/2024

There are no words. During the month of April we shared Joe’s story many times and we all promote organ donation at every opportunity. We even participated in a Podcast dedicated to transplant in patients with CHD. Link attached.

But today, we turn our attention to the family who turned their worst nightmare into the answer to our prayers. A family that tragically lost their 14 year-old daughter, but donated her organs so that others could live. Her heart and liver live on in our son.

Joe is a great steward of his ‘gifts of life’ and we are eternally grateful for the generosity of a family that we may never know, but will always love unconditionally.

https://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-pulse-of-perseverance-unveiling-the-heart-transplant-experience--59714311

02/03/2024

Be Bold. Get Cold. Go Birds.

Be Bold. Get Cold. Go Birds!Win an autographed Brandon Graham jersey!Support Team Joe Eitl & take the Polar Plunge!

01/25/2024

Support Eagles star Brandon Graham's good friend, inspirational Special Olympics Pennsylvania athlete Joe Eitl, at the 2024 Philadelphia Polar Plunge at Citizens Bank Park on Saturday, February 10th!

01/23/2024

In honor of Joe’s birthday, we are kicking off a really special fundraiser for Special Olympics!!! Please consider helping us reach our goal!

JOE EITL IS DOING THE POLAR PLUNGE!!!

Join me in Freezin' for a Reason on February 10th in support of Special Olympics athletes like me!

01/10/2024

Many of you know Joe’s story, but we were invited to share it on a Podcast called “Leave Your Mark” with Vince Cortese. Stories of everyday heroes.

Without his wings he would have surely died…and I’d have missed the opportunity to not only witness a miracle, but to appreciate that miracles aren’t the work of one…in fact, the real power is in each of us. It took a village to help Joe through his journey and his story is worth sharing.

I love that Joe Eitl inspires many, but none more than me. ❤️

Thank you Debbie Chesleigh Havrilla and Vince Cortese!

We unveil the extraordinary journey of Joe Eitl, a trailblazer who etched his name in history as the first adult with Down Syndrome to undergo a groundbreaki...