The Moxied Post Vol 1 Issue 1
I’m Dani and it’s my hope that The Moxied Post helps you in some way. This month marks a plethora of awareness campaigns that are dear to my heart. I am a cancer warrior/survivor. I was diagnosed with clear cell ovarian cancer in 2023. I lost my aunt to ovarian cancer that same year. Then while I was in treatment my dear friend from high school was diagnosed. This deadly disease is hard to detect and we are lacking an effective testing method. Too many ladies get diagnosed late stage.
I have suffered the heartwrenching loss of loved ones taking their own lives and watched loved ones battle addiction. I have seen these battles transform towards recovery. I know that life circumstances can be absolutely overwhelming. So much so that there is not a word I could possibly say to bring relief. For me, I choose to rely on my faith in God and accept the fact that sometimes I am not going to understand. I’m not going to always get my desired outcome. I’m going to suffer sometimes, and sometimes unjustly so. I’m going to have to endure some things. It amazes me what a person can go through and how it can reveal just how amazing the human spirit can be.
Whatever you have been through or whatever you are going through now, it is your story, your unique one of a kind journey. It is your impact that you make on your world, and it will become your legacy.
What is moxie? It’s courage, boldness, and spirit. It’s the determination to push through and find the energy to do hard things.
I admit there have been times in my life that I was faced with issues that took me completely off guard. I had to be honest with myself and do a realistic self evaluation (mind, body, and spirit). I had to check my viewpoint and get some perspective. I had to make sure I remained connected and engaged with supportive people. I had to get Moxied Up!
Organization Spotlight
GYNCA is GYN Cancers Alliance. They provide education, support, and resources serving 30 counties in Central and Southwest Missouri including the ladies in the Joplin Metro area. Their Fueled by Hope program provides gas cards to women in active treatment to cover the cost of traveling to their cancer-related appointments.They also offer emergency non-medical financial support, and support groups. In-person groups meet monthly on the 3rd Thursday of the month from 6-8pm, and they also host a private Facebook group. GYNCA is in a partnership with the Shelly Sachs Foundation with collaboration from Breast Cancer Foundation of the Ozarks to provide women with any cancer diagnosis an appointment for a personal wig fitting in the Springfield, MO GYNCA office, a wig of their choosing, care supplies and a gift- free of charge.
EVENTS:
GYNCA Presents TEAL IN THE PARK September 13, 2025 Gates open at 5:35pm
Springfield Cardinals vs San Antonio Missions at the Hammons Field Springfield, MO
A GYNCA survivor will throw the first pitch AND there will be a bonus Fans-on-Field Mega Fireworks Celebration
Tickets are just $10 each when purchased from GYNCA; Members of GYNCA please contact the GYNCA office to get your FREE tickets (for you and your crew)
GYNCA Phone: 417-869-2220; info@gynca.org; www.gynca.org; Address: 3039 S Fort Ave Ste A Springfield, MO 65807
2nd Annual Mercy Car Show Saturday September 20, 2025 5-7pm at Mercy Hospital Joplin MO. Contact Laura Moore at lauramoore@mercy.net or Mike Coleman at mike.coleman@mercy.net. Entry forms are on the event’s Facebook page. Benefits Catherine’s Cupboard
Dinner on the Diamond Benefitting The Shelly Sachs Foundation September 27, 2025 at Hammons Field Springfield, MO. Guest Speaker: Tony La Russa. To reserve your tickets call Laura Dannegger, Shelly Sachs Foundation, Event Director. 417-889-1400. The Shelly Sachs Foundation assists families in living with, through, and beyond cancer. Website: www.shellysachsfoundation.org
Art with a Mission
Chadan Cole is using his talent as a local potter to support ladies battling ovarian cancer. He is donating a portion of a limited edition run of ‘Teal Warrior” mugs for the cause. Check out the mugs and his other works on his website: drybranchhandmade.com
Organization Spotlight
Unstoppable Joy: Transforming Lives Through Hope and Self-Care
Cancer touches us all directly or indirectly. Whether you are a warrior battling cancer, know someone who is, or are caring for a warrior, you understand the immense need for support during this journey. Unstoppable Joy exists to make a meaningful difference.
Our mission is to inspire proactive, positive change for cancer warriors, caregivers, and anyone seeking to take control of their health. We promote awareness of a healthy mind, body, and spirit by providing free self care resources to adult and pediatric cancer warriors undergoing treatment and their dedicated caregivers.
We are driven by the belief that self-care is not a luxury but a necessity–a conviction underscored by our founderTonya’s personal experience as a survivor of triple-negative breast cancer. Tonya knows the toll cancer takes on the body mind, and spirit, and her journey fuels our unwavering commitment to provide hope, support, and positivity.
Unstoppable Joy is hoping to expand their mission to other cities in the U.S. including the Joplin Metro area!! Whether you are an adult, child or have a pet with cancer, you can benefit from this organization. There are already services they provide that you can take advantage of. If you are a service provider or have a product line that could be helpful and you want to be a part of this wonderful opportunity, you are definitely needed and encouraged to partner with this life changing organization. Please reach out to Tonja Giles, UJC Board Member and Director of Fundraising. Phone: 410-213-3707 or Email; admin@unstoppablejoyco.org Check out their website: www.unstoppablejoy.org. Linktree: linktr.ee/unstoppablejoy
Thank You
Queen’s Bee Coffee & Creperie at 3106 Connecticut Ave Ste B, Joplin MO for providing great coffee, friendly service, and a comfortable meeting space. .
Business Spotlight
Alchemist Haven 1331 E 4th Street, Joplin MO; Website: www.Alchemisthaven.com.
I purchased Aphrodites’s Glow Face and Body Replenishment Oil and I recommend it.
Support Group Meetings
September 18 GYNCA (GYN Cancer Alliance) Support Group 3039 S FortAve Ste. A Springfield, MO. Phone: 417-869-2220
September 18 Moxied Up is hosting the Joplin Metro GYNCA Support group at SMB Bank 7th and Duquesne Joplin MO 6-8pm. This is also open to others facing catastrophic illness and their caregivers. Space is limited, please RSVP by texting 417-768-9881 or email moxiedup.official@gmail.com
Mercy Joplin offers support groups and great information on their website.
Go to mercy.net. Drop down the Menu. Click on Services. Find your service. For information about cancer support groups you can contact Ruth West, MSW, LCSW. She is the Oncology Social Worker. Phone: 417-556-2706 or email: ruth.west@mercy.net
Freeman Health Center offers a variety of support groups, including the Espresso Yourself Breast Cancer Support Group and a general support group. For the most current schedule and registration details, visit www.freemanhealth.com and check out Freeman Events.
Mental Health Matters
A catastrophic disease can have such an immediate need to tend to the physical body that our mind isn’t able to process what is happening. Treatments can be difficult and grueling. Fighting the pain, recovering from serious surgeries, and feeling the fatigue take a huge toll to patients and their caregivers. I was given the opportunity and tried counseling sessions with Crystal Tena. She is the founder and counselor of Side by Side Counseling. Their practice skills are trauma-informed and integrate theology, psychology, and neurobiology. I was amazed at how I was able to reclaim my mental health with just a few sessions. Crystal is so easy to work with. I was not intimidated at all. I noticed that my body responded to the mental health work I was doing. Others noticed that I was doing better overall. For more info visit her website: sidebysideaz.com or call (623) 562-3999. She worked with me over the cell phone.