Meet Joyce
While this philanthropic endeavor intends to help shed light on Joyce’s esophageal cancer journey, she was so much more. Joyce was a beloved wife, sister, mother, GiGi, aunt, and friend. Her loyalty and love were both fierce and strong. She LOVED spoiling and treating those around her, especially her grandkids Jackson and Kennedy.
Joyce was a master in the kitchen, a travel lover, and a year round Christmas prepper. She would ALWAYS delight and surprise folks with an extra large tip, a random gift, or a special outing because that is who she was. Simply put, Joyce was delightful and surprising. Board Member and Joyce's Niece, Kathryn Haun, poignantly put it, "She put the JOY in Joyce." She exhibited class, sass, care and love in every relationship and setting. Our hope is that this organization lives up to her legacy.
Joyce's Esophageal Cancer Journey
Symptoms
Joyce notifies her physician that she experiences difficulty swallowing and at times feels like she is drowning on her own saliva. Joyce is prescribed medicine for acid reflux. Despite this course, Joyce continues to have issues with swallowing throughout 2021.
Feb 2021 - Jan 2022
Prediagnosis
Jan 2022 - June 2022
Joyce’s provider refers her for an Upper G.I. Scope, then to an ENT (Ear, Nose and Throat) specialist for a swallow test, and lastly to a speech therapist to improve her swallowing. Joyce then receives a
High-Resolution Esophageal Motility Study resulting in an Achalasia diagnosis.
Joyce receives a second upper G.I Scope. Fear begins to take hold. Joyce receives a phone call from her G.I. doctor confirming that she is in the stages of advanced esophageal cancer. The physician prescribes Joyce to see a G.I. oncologist immediately.
Cancer Diagnosis
July 20 - 22, 2022
Treatment
Aug 2022 - June 2023
Joyce first meets with her KU Medical Center team; Dr. Anwaar M. Saeed, her oncologist, and Lori Poteet, her oncology RN. Through a port placed in her chest, Joyce undergoes approximately 20 chemotherapy sessions. Throughout her treatment, Joyce experiences hospitalization multiple times due to complications. Despite the difficulty, she persists and tries to tend to her familial duties to the best of her capabilities.
Final Days
July 2023
No longer strong enough to further undergo Chemo treatments, a hospice organization begins providing final stages of care. As fate would have it, Lori Poteet, RN, transitioned her care arena to hospice care. Lori Poteet becomes Joyce’s hospice nurse, grateful to be together in Joyce’s final days.
Passing
July 31, 2023
After a painful battle and quick decline, at 2:12 a.m. Joyce passes peacefully with Ron by her side, surrounded by family, and with her exceptional hospice nurse, Lori.
Lasting Legacy
Aug 2023 - Present
Joyce’s earthly journey may be over, but her light shines on through all those that remember her. That is how we ended up here. Her loved ones wish for her legacy and light to shine on. At first, the family established a fund, the Joyce M. Ferris Esophageal Cancer Fund, through the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation. After deep consideration and planning, Ron Ferris along with family members establish the Joyce Ferris Esophageal Cancer Foundation, an independent 501c3.
About the JFECF Brand Style
Joyce Ferris (née Haun) was classy, fancy, elegant, and regal. In fact, one of Lauren’s friends in college said, “Oh my gosh, your mom [Joyce] is so fancy!” With that in mind, we strove to create a brand matching those qualities. Every color, image, logo, and font matches that aura.
Joyce loved her costume necklaces, especially those with pearls; she rocked them often. What a perfect encapsulation to represent her fanciness and also highlight the area of esophageal cancer? With those thoughts in mind came the idea of a costume pearl necklace logo. The shape of the logo has a few inspirational shapes; one is the costume necklace, the second is an angel with her wings spread, and the third portrays a phoenix rising from the ashes.
Colors:
- Black - Joyce’s main wardrobe color was black (for every season).
- Pearl Gray - Joyce’s costume jewelry pearl necklaces.
- Periwinkle Blue - The official color of esophageal cancer.
- White Diamond Gold - Joyce’s perfume of choice.
- Perennial Plum - Joyce’s popping lipstick color.
- Royal Blue - as a Kansas City area native and as a Jayhawk, Joyce used royal blue as mandatory accessory color.
To honor Joyce's legacy, the team created a font from her handwriting for the JFECF logo. The team spent hours scouring her handwritten stationary, cards, notes, and recipe cards in order to accomplish this classy touch.
Joyce exuded kindness, fun, lovingness, and so much more; through this organization, and the brand created, we endeavor to live up to and honor her legacy.
