Wes's Battle

Hello, my name is Stephen. Two and a half years ago, I met one of the kindest souls I have ever known. Jon Wesley Bennett was born in 1970 in South Texas. His family, being close to the church, raised him in that community until the day he came out. This was the one thing that his community could not love him through, and he was forced to leave for Huston, Texas, where he finished his education, living with his father. Eventually, life would take him to New York City, to experience life in the close knit gay community as a bar back while being involved with the LGBT community center. Later, his life would bring him to Albany, NY.  It is here that he would begin his  work for theTimes Union, creating the layout for their magazine as design director, as well as developing his photographic talents. Wes also lead the development of the Q Northeast magazine, the local gay community monthly, helping those in the area to find safe spaces to express who they were in a time and world that was not yet as comfortable with gay people. His artistic talent led Wes to begin working with metal. Taking old lockers, he began to make a whole line of up-cycled furniture and created his company, Artspaceindustrial(www.marketplace.apartmenttherapy.com/artspaceindustrial). Out of his desire to help others, Wes employed young men and women trying to turn their lives around in recovery programs that have difficulty finding other work. Recently, Wes was diagnosed with Stage III Squamous Cell Carcinoma. This requires weeks of chemo and radiation. While being treated, Wes will be too sick to work.  Sadly, when you own your own business, no work means no income. His insurance will pay for most of the treatment, but Wes will still be responsible for 20% of his treatments.  Additionally, he will also have the financial weight of his monthly bills, meals, and other living expenses. I have done what I can, but now Wes needs more help then I am able to provide. Please help me help him fight this battle. He cannot do it alone.  He has worked so hard to help others, and now it's our turn to help him. Thank you for listening to his story and thank you for any help you can give. For anyone who is unable to contribute financially, but would like to donate an item for an upcoming raffle event, please send an e-mail to me at [email redacted] All proceeds will go directly into Wes and my joint account so we can both easily access to pay for bills or other expenses he might need throughout this time, like chemo copays, groceries rent and such. Thank you again ❤️