🫶🏼 updates from #TeamJosé


Dear Reader,

It's been a couple of months since our last update and there are a number of things brewing that we want to share with you. This will be a quick note with more details to come.

  • REMINDER: a celebration of Life in Orlando, FL, will be hosted at Central Florida Public Media (fka WMFE) on Saturday, June 28, 2025 from 3:30 - 5:30 p.m. Many of you have already RSVP'd. Please feel free to share this link with friends, family, and colleagues who may have missed our previous announcements: https://teamjose.com/rsvp
  • TEAM JOSÉ: We have formally incorporated a nonprofit (TEAM JOSE) in the state of Hawai‘i and are awaiting 501(c)(3) status from the IRS. While still in the developmental phase, the initial focus is to continue Jose's efforts to "use his microphone" and support others still living with ALS to tell their stories, build community, and live with comfort and dignity.
  • ONLINE AUCTION: It was Jose's wish that some of his art collection be auctioned off after his passing and the proceeds be contributed to the FAJARDO INTERNSHIP FUND at Hawai‘i Public Radio. It's taken longer than expected, but we can finally share that the auction will occur during the month of May which is ALS Awareness Month.

Expect more details on ALL of these announcements in the next two weeks.

with immense gratitude for your continued support,

💗 Jen

Team José | #TeamJosé

Team José initially served as a way for José and Jen to keep friends and family updated while also advocating for others living with Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). With his passing, we're transitioning to becoming a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that supports people living with ALS to tell their stories, build community, and live with comfort and dignity.

Read more from Team José | #TeamJosé

As I shared on Monday, today would have been José's 62nd birthday. In his memory, and in fulfillment of his final wishes, today we kick-off an online auction of most of the art he created and collected in his lifetime. The goals of the online auction are to: contribute to the FAJARDO INTERNSHIP FUND at Hawai‘i Public Radio seed the development of a nonprofit we’ve established to further José’s legacy encourage others to continue to #LiveLikeJosé And at the encouragement of several of you, to...

If you knew José later in his adult life, you likely knew that he was a great lover of art of all kinds–most notably various performing arts and blown glass–and he was also incredibly proud of the many pieces he had personally collected. As I've just shared on the blog, this month I will be organizing an online auction to fulfill the last remaining request from José's final wishes: for much of that art to be used to raise funds for an internship program in his honor at Hawai‘i Public Radio....

You may remember (and have contributed to) the crowdfunding campaign that helped us purchase and install a ceiling lift during the summer of 2023 when José was barely able to stand and transfers were becoming incredibly taxing and dangerous–for both of us. I'm happy to share that it was recently removed and gifted to another family here on Oahu. This update was also just posted to the blog with a few photos. Also sharing a reminder that the online auction that was initially planned for May...