‘I never have been blessed more in my life,’
Harrisburg man says of help from Vickie’s Angel Foundation
Walter Woods has been on a roller coaster ride of emotions over the last six months.
In May, the 73-year-old retired truck driver and Army veteran learned from his doctors that he had Stage 4 prostate cancer. The diagnosis has required him to undergo chemotherapy and take as many as 15 medications, many of which have caused sickness and left him feeling weak.
To complicate matters further, in June a grease fire broke out in the kitchen at the apartment where Woods resides in Harrisburg. The fire displaced him from his home in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving him searching for a clean and isolated place where he could keep himself safe as renovations on his apartment are completed.
That’s where Vickie’s Angel Foundation has stepped in. The non-profit based in New Cumberland has been helping Woods pay for his stay at a local hotel until he can return to his apartment. Despite all the hardship that he has been going through, Woods says he feels incredibly thankful for the support.
“When I first moved into my hotel, I was paying out of my pocket. A week and it was over $500,” Woods said. “I never have been blessed more in my life.”
Woods, a native of Alabama who still has a hint of a southern accent, recently shared his story for those who attended the Vickie’s Angel Walk, the annual fundraiser in New Cumberland that raised more than $58,000 this year for Vickie’s Angel Foundation. Woods was one of three people who took the microphone and shared their own personal experiences focusing on how Vickie’s Angel Foundation has helped them. Their remarks were based around the themes of love, faith and hope.
Woods told the crowd that he hopes to remain a part of Vickie’s Angel Foundation in the future because of the support he has received. He also has made it a point to share his story with others because of how he has been inspired. He recently spoke with Nancy Eshelman, a columnist for PennLive/The Patriot-News, for one of Eshelman’s columns (Charity that helps cancer victims finds itself in need of aid).
In his remarks at the Vickie’s Angel Walk, Woods touched on how he is staying optimistic.
“I’m at a real positive point. I feel like I’m just going to be a regular person,” Woods said. “I’ll have to take my medications and things like that. The main thing is containing it and I feel that if I do what I’m supposed to, I’ll be alright.
“I’m not in a depressed mood. I’m in good spirits. I’m thinking I still have a good life ahead of me. I still have things I can do,” he added.
About Us: Vickie's Angel Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit with a mission of helping families fighting cancer who cannot pay their bills because of going through cancer treatment. The foundation’s goal is to take away the financial worry from the family, providing a temporary bridge that allows them to focus entirely on beating this disease. Since 2003, Vickie’s Angel Foundation has raised over $3.2 million and helped more than 2,000 families. Importantly, 100% of all online donations, and monies received at our walk; along with 100% of net proceeds from sponsored events, go directly to those in need.