Many people believe that Rosie O'Donnell's nephew with CF was the same child for whom the Joey Fund is named. Being from the Boston area, I've known of the Joey Fund and Mr. O'Donnell being its spokesman, but I've never heard of a connection between them and Rosie. So I looked into it:
Joey O'Donnell was from the Boston area. He passed away in 1986 at 12 years old. Shortly afterwards, his father, also named Joseph O'Donnell started the The Joey Fund. <a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.joeyfund.org/
">http://www.joeyfund.org/
</a>
Rosie doesn't have a brother named Joseph (hers are Eddie, Danny and Timmy).
On the recent episode of "The View" where Rosie had the young girl with CF on, she made reference to the fact that her nephew used to take his enzymes on a spoon with applesauce, but now he can't even stand applesauce. Sounds like he is still alive.
I haven't been able to find more on her nephew's age and health, but I'm pretty sure it is not the same kid.
Joey O'Donnell was from the Boston area. He passed away in 1986 at 12 years old. Shortly afterwards, his father, also named Joseph O'Donnell started the The Joey Fund. <a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.joeyfund.org/
">http://www.joeyfund.org/
</a>
Rosie doesn't have a brother named Joseph (hers are Eddie, Danny and Timmy).
On the recent episode of "The View" where Rosie had the young girl with CF on, she made reference to the fact that her nephew used to take his enzymes on a spoon with applesauce, but now he can't even stand applesauce. Sounds like he is still alive.
I haven't been able to find more on her nephew's age and health, but I'm pretty sure it is not the same kid.