Help Charlie Fight Cancer and Stay Home

Meet Charlie!

Charlie is 69 years old with stage 4 cancer in his rectum, liver, lungs, and stomach. Charlie wishes to be in his home, and he wishes to receive treatment. His oncologist is very optimistic that with treatment, Charlie will have a better quality of life and live an additional 2-3 years longer.

Charlie is currently on Medicare and Medicaid; however, there are several different types of Medicaid, and in order for him to receive the benefits of Medicaid, he must be on the traditional Medicaid program. We are working on getting this switched over; however, this takes time.

I met Charlie in January of 2025, and learned he has 2 stepsons and a cousin in LaPorte County, a stepdaughter in another state, and a brother and sister in another state.

Unfortunately, Charlie has been left on his own, with no means of transportation, to care for himself.

Charlie had walked to the Dollar Store to purchase his groceries, sometimes not having the means to pay for them. The clerks would call the county police, who would come, pay for the groceries, and give Charlie a ride home.

I learned he did not have a working refrigerator, which took some time; however, a wonderful family donated a used one to him.

I found his insurance card, set up an online account, found his doctor, got him in, saw his oncologist, got blood work and CT scans, and got him set up with home health care.

I have reached out to everyone I was able to get the phone numbers for, and finally, on April 7th, I became his POA.

On April 24th, I found Charlie, in the early morning hours, on the floor, in his hallway, disoriented, and called 911. On Sunday, April 27th, I learned Charlie had a mild stroke that affected his left side.

Since Charlie has been in the hospital and rehab facility (nursing home), I have been cleaning Charlie's house, and I have discovered the following: He has no hot water. His toilet in his bathroom was moments away from falling through the floor. His range (stove) does not work. His front door needs to be replaced. He needs new mattresses (there is no saving the ones he currently has).

Cleaning his house has been a real chore, and time consuming as you can imagine, he was, after all, a widower for the past 6 years. I try to spend every other day in his home, and every other day with visits to him.

We are currently on waiting lists for resources that may be available to him. I have volunteers building him a wheelchair ramp and completing the labor in his bathroom.

We are reaching out now for monetary donations to help purchase him the items he desperately needs. We are on a time crunch. Due to the Medicaid, he currently has, the insurance company will no longer be paying for his stay in the rehab facility (nursing home) as of tomorrow, May 10th. He will have to be picked up and taken home on the 11th. I live in a bi-level and he will not be able to do the stairs; otherwise, I would bring him home with me.

I am advocating for this man who is not a danger to himself or others, he does not wish to give up and be placed on hospice. Again, we are on several waiting lists for organizations to provide some type of help. Meals on Wheels will be starting on 05/18/2025.

I am reaching out to all of you to help me help this man's wishes come true. Every little bit counts, including sharing this or holding him in your prayers.

Thank you for your time and support for Charlie!