Joseph “JoJo” Charles was introduced to Monroe County two years ago as a young cancer patient who wished to be a farmer.

Today, the 7-year-old from the Kansas City area is cancer-free and enjoying the life of a regular kid.

“Joseph is doing great,” said his mother, Angela Charles. “He is wrapping up his first grade year of school and ready for second. He and his (twin) brother, Patrick, are playing soccer and baseball right now and will start swim team and golf lessons this summer.”

In May 2013, Joseph’s family connected with Linda Mathews of the local Farm Service Agency office through the Make-A-Wish Foundation, about his wish to be a farmer for a day. Mathews rallied local organizations and businesses including the Waterloo School District, Waterloo Walmart, Kelly Lerch, Kevin Hirsch, local farmers Don Schrader, George Obernagel and many more, along with thousands of other citizens and well-wishers who lined the streets to welcome JoJo’s family into the Monroe County family.

“We talk about Waterloo often and the boys still play with and enjoy the toys that they were given that day by the generous people of your community,” Angela told the Republic-Times.

JoJo’s father agreed.

“We think about Waterloo very often and continue to tell stories about Joseph’s magical day,” Thomas Charles said.

Joseph was diagnosed at age 2 with a type of cancer called neuroblastoma. He endured years of radiation and chemotherapy treatments, a stem cell transplant, blood transfusions, and multiple surgeries that included removing one of his kidneys

At the time of his arrival in Monroe County, he’d finished treatment and been having clear scans to monitor his progress, but had by no means received the “all-clear” for his health.

That changed on Dec. 12, 2014, when the family received the news they have hoped for and prayed for. They could now add a new “c-word” to their vocabulary. Cured.

Although Joseph will continue to undergo testing to make sure his body handles the after-effects of chemotherapy and radiation treatments, regular scans searching for any sign of a recurrence of cancer are a thing of the past.

“One of the best compliments we received recently was from a friend who we had met only recently,” Angela said. “When another friend mentioned Joseph’s medical history, they seemed shocked. They’ve known Joseph for a couple years now and had no idea that he was a cancer survivor.

“It was gratifying to know that he is living a normal life just like any other kid, and anyone else would not have a clue of all that he has been through.”