When it is Darkest, Look to the Light
At 61, he was accustomed to living an active, demanding life. He served as a law enforcement officer, worked as a real estate developer and taught martial arts. Physically fit and in excellent health aside from a few old injuries and some arthritis, cancer was the last thing he expected.
His diagnosis began with something seemingly routine: a chipped tooth.
When he experienced discomfort, dental X-rays revealed an abscess beneath his wisdom tooth. The tooth was scheduled for removal, and although he was told that cancer in his situation was incredibly rare, a biopsy would be performed as a standard precaution.
The results brought unimaginable news. “It turned out to be incredibly rare,” he said.
One Challenge After Another
Fortunately, he didn’t have to face the diagnosis alone. His wife, family, friends and church surrounded him with love and encouragement. “I have a great church, wife, family and friends, so personally I was pretty good,” he shared. Financially, however, the situation was much more difficult.
His family business had been devastated by the COVID-19 shutdowns, leaving the family struggling to recover. Then he was injured while making an arrest and was unable to work for approximately nine months. Without disability benefits or his regular income, the family fell even further behind.
Just as he began rebuilding some momentum, he received his cancer diagnosis and was forced out of work for another nine months.
“Definitely challenging,” he said.
A staff member at his cancer center told him about Vickie’s Angel Foundation. Even with all he had endured, asking for assistance did not come easily. When asked what it was like to reach out for support, his answer was simple and honest: “Difficult.”
But that difficulty opened the door to help when his family needed it most. Vickie’s Angel Foundation assisted with his car payment and housing expenses, helping relieve some of the financial pressure created by cancer.
“It was truly a Godsend,” he said.
Faith in the Darkest Moments
Throughout his cancer journey, faith has was his foundation. It’s what gives him hope and, along with his family and friends, keeps him motivated on the hardest days. To him, hope means trusting that “God has a plan, and it is good.”
He also remembers the compassion of the people he encountered through Vickie’s Angel Foundation. “The people of the organization seemed very genuine,” he said.
Today, he hopes his experience reminds others that even in life’s most difficult moments, they can still find a source of strength and hope. “When it is the darkest, look to the Light.”
Above all, he wants those who supported his family to know how deeply grateful he is.
“I am truly grateful for everything that the organization has done for me and my family. May your work continue to be blessed.”
Vickie’s Angel Foundation is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to providing a temporary financial bridge to help families battling cancer. We provide financial support for essential, non-medical needs such as rent, mortgage payment, utilities, transportation, and food. The foundation operates in an effort to remove the toxic stress of unpaid bills so the individual and their family can focus on their health. Through community-driven fundraising events, corporate partnerships, and generous individual donations, Vickie’s Angel Foundation ensures that 100% of donations directly support families in need. Guided by the values of love, faith, and hope, the foundation has touched thousands of lives by offering not only financial relief but also compassion and encouragement during some of life’s most difficult moments.
In order to give 100% to those in need, we are supported by Guardian Angels.
For many years, Charity Navigator has consistently rated us a four-star charity. As the foremost nonprofit evaluator globally, Charity Navigator has scrutinized close to 200,000 charities, evaluating their financial stability, commitment to best practices, as well as their accountability, transparency, and impact. Check out our profile here.