Symposium Power User Profile
Fabi Powell formed The Josh Powell Foundation in loving memory of her late husband, William Joshua Powell, better known as Josh. He battled synovial sarcoma of the lower abdomen for two years and 25 days. His battle ended on December 13, 2016, just one month after he married Fabi. Throughout his battle, he chose resilience. Josh and Fabi refused to give the cancer the power to steal their joy or let it take their zest for life. Now, Fabi Powell runs the Foundation and provides “inspiration, encouragement, and motivation for patients and their caregivers to keep going beginning on their first day of treatment.” Fabi is in the Power User Spotlight as we get to know her better.
- What are three words you would use to describe yourself?
Passionate, genuine, and warm hearted 
- Tell us about the work of the foundation.
The Josh Powell Foundation connects with newly diagnosed cancer patients on their first day of treatment. We provide them with a care package of items that Josh used everyday. Filled with items that are both functional and motivational such as leather journal, water bottle, COVID mask and hand sanitizer, a beanie, a Keep Going wristband, a yellow sarcoma ribbon, brochures, and stickers, all in a drawstring backpack.
We provide a supportive community, financial assistance, and also help patients with metastatic disease fulfill bucket list items. We work closely with the MD Andersen Cancer Center in Houston, TX where the majority of sarcoma patients are treated and have newer programs with the Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, FL and the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center in Nashville, TN.
- What message do you have for those suffering from illnesses or those with a family member suffering or lost to help them cope?
Our two primary messages are “You don’t have to do this alone” and “Choose resilience.” We encourage people to avoid giving cancer the power to steal their joy. A cancer diagnosis doesn’t have to be the end of your life. If you are having a good day and feeling well, get outside and do the things you love; if you’re having a bad day, let yourself have a bad day… just don’t get stuck there. We must choose resilience and hope so that cancer doesn’t have an opportunity to steal your joy. We need to focus on what we have control over and what will make our days well spent. It is easy to go down the “why me rabbit hole,” but that only gives cancer the power.
- Please share some examples of how you have helped people through the foundation.
We help people find hope along a scary journey. We focus on empowering the mind so our patients can have strong outcomes. I recently received a message from a caretaker that said, “I really wanted to connect with you to say thank you directly – Ben cried bucket loads when he received his care package- ‘Keep going’ was a phrase his Dad used to say to him and it felt so meaningful and inspiring to him.” This summer, we had a 20-year-old patient whose cancer had turned metastatic. His bucket list item was to go on a fishing trip with his family. We started a fundraiser to fulfill his bucket list, but unfortunately sarcoma took his life before the trip. We sent his family on his dream trip as a way to honor him.
- How are you using Symposium?
We are always working on events so that we can broaden our reach. I utilized Symposium for a women empowerment charity event and it was fantastic.
What do you like about Symposium?
Symposium is easy to use, and they make it simple to connect with other people using the platform.
- What advice do you have for Symposium experts?
Try it and learn the features, it is not difficult.
Check out Fabi Powell on Symposium, or hear more from the best SymPros!
