Non-profit renovating home for man fighting cancer
NINNEKAH, OKLA (KFOR) — A man with terminal cancer currently lives in an old semi-truck and as the colder weather is upon us, a local non-profit wants to step in and help. "I'm trying to get my living situation better than it is now," said Josh Protz.
Josh Protz has battled cancer before, but this time, it's terminal.
He's not able to easily speak as he has a tracheal tube, but said times are getting tough to keep fighting.
"I've fought cancer three times and currently fighting an un-curable blood cancer," said Josh Protz, who's living with terminal cancer.
"He doesn't have what we would consider the traditional home," said Katie Keyser, who's on the board of directors at Tenaciously Teal.
Josh lives in a semi-truck on land he bought with his savings. It's not very big and there's just a tiny area for a pillow and blanket.
"He had planned to renovate this shipping container on his land, but didn't have the funds to see that project to fruition," said Tarah Green, the CEO of Tenaciously Teal
Tenaciously Teal is a non-profit group with a heart for helping cancer patients.
"That's where we've come in to help him renovate this container, to buy the supplies, to gather the volunteers and experts to help him make it happen," said Green.
Green said they have a team starting to come together, but there are final steps needed before Saturday's renovation.
"We really need a plumber to help him, you know, get this project done right. And then just other people who want to come in and help and see this guy get into a home," said Green.
For now, the group said they're thankful they can help Josh and hope this home will keep him warm through the winter and beyond.
"Everyone deserves a place that they are comfortable and they feel safe and secure, especially a person like josh that's going through something like this," said Keyser.
"This is going to make it to where I can be at peace when I go, and I know that's coming," said Protz.
The team is planning on renovating the shipping container Saturday, December 7. If you would like to volunteer or help out, click here.