Helping a Friend in Need

My name is Jason Plaja. I am starting this GoFundMe to help support my dear friend Joel (Cowboy) Oestriech, as he has recently received the news that his treatments are no longer effective due to his stage 4 lung cancer advancing. Cowboy’s doctors have suggested he no longer receive his lung cancer treatments and begin hospice care; however, with my help, Cowboy would like to continue to take care of himself, but has agreed to better his living conditions.

As you may know, Cowboy currently rents a small shed in Rochester. For the last year, he has been using my generator to provide power to his shed and a propane heater to keep it warm. I make many trips every week to ensure he has enough gas for his generator, and refill propane and water tanks. This has become increasingly difficult as his health has deteriorated and he is no longer able to lift the tanks and maintain power, water, and heat sources as he could in the past. Some may know that in the past, Cowboy enjoyed his off-grid living and was pretty insistent that he live at his current place. Cowboy now realizes with his failing health that this is both unmanageable and an unhealthy living condition. Cowboy would like to purchase an RV to increase his quality of life. All of the funds raised will go toward Cowboy having a comfortable RV to better care for himself and receive the assistance he desperately needs. The RV will be moved to my property so the assistance I’m providing is easier for both of us. In addition to the RV, any remaining funds would go toward 2 plane tickets for his son and grandson to travel from Florida to take care of his remaining personal needs and/or belongings.

Any contribution, no matter how small will be immensely appreciated and will go towards funding our friend's housing and care. We are grateful for your support during this difficult transitional time.