It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of our beloved synovial sarcoma warrior, Joey Toro, who passed away peacefully, May 23, at 12:45 PM.

Anyone who knew Joey knew his light. He was funny, full of energy, and a constant source of smiles. If you ever exchanged texts with him, received one of his colorful voice messages, or had the chance to meet him in person, you understand exactly what we mean. Joey was also one of the most active members of our community, spending countless hours writing letters to elected officials pushing for cancer research funding. He became a real friend to so many of us along the way.

Many of you have followed Joey's journey since his original diagnosis on December 23, 2017, when he faced a 10 cm tumor in his hip after being misdiagnosed twice. He went through his initial surgery in 2018, along with radiation, and chemotherapy, then faced recurrence and years of additional treatments and unimaginable challenges. Through all of it, he never lost sight of who he was. His mom, Polly Toro, was by his side through every chapter of it. Together, they were exceptional advocates, both for Joey's personal care and for this whole community, always researching, always staying on top of the latest in synovial sarcoma treatment, and always willing to share what they learned with others walking the same road.

Even in the hardest moments, Joey stayed focused on what mattered most: love, family, and faith. Just recently, he was looking forward to celebrating his wedding in San Antonio, surrounded by the people he loved most.

Joey was more than a patient to us. He was a reminder of what it looks like to meet something this hard with humor, grace, and an open heart. He cannot be replaced.

Please keep Joey's wife, Andrea, his parents, Paul and Polly, his siblings, and the rest of his family in your thoughts and prayers during this incredibly difficult time. And please carry Joey's spirit forward by supporting one another and continuing the work against this devastating disease.

Rest peacefully, Joey. Your light will live on in all of us.

To honor Joey’s life and the incredible strength and courage he showed throughout his journey, his family invites you to support the Synovial Sarcoma Foundation in his memory. Funds raised will help advance critical research for synovial sarcoma, including promising mRNA vaccine approaches designed to help the immune system recognize and fight cancer cells.

For far too long, synovial sarcoma patients and families have faced limited treatment options and a severe lack of research funding. Joey believed deeply in helping others and in creating hope for future patients. Every donation made in his honor helps move research forward, accelerate new discoveries, and bring more effective treatments closer to those who urgently need them.

In Loving Memory of Joey Toro

Advance New Treatments for Synovial Sarcoma in Honor of Joey

Team Members