Cancer is a disease that waits for no one, so when the hospital kept pushing back a patient’s appointment, I became confused and worried. The day he finally came in, I found him sitting in the clinic room alone, and without thinking I asked, “No friends or family with you today?” I caught a glint of shame in his eyes right before his head drooped, and he said “I’m homeless.”
I profusely apologized for my thoughtless question, but he chuckled and said it was fine. He had family in the area, but they’d cut ties with him — and remained distant even upon hearing he’d been diagnosed with cancer. “Nearly every family around the world is affected by cancer,” according to data from the World Health Organization, but what happens when your family doesn’t care? I’ve learned that cancer is a battle that can’t be fought alone. I’ve grown accustomed to seeing spouses, parents, children, siblings and friends accompany patients to doctor’s appointments or radiation treatment. Whether chauffeurs for the day, designated notetakers or emotional support, they’re vital for patients’ treatment and, hopefully, recovery. Yet, many people who are unhoused have little to no family support. And with cancer ranking as the second-highest cause of premature death among our homeless neighbors, who is there for them?
I spoke with Brian Wolz, a vendor who has been with The Contributor for the last 15 years. He said he used to be very sociable. He was the type of person who would get up early to go to paper release meetings. He enjoyed selling the paper outdoors. But after years of UV exposure with little to no sunscreen use, he was diagnosed with melanoma, the most aggressive form of skin cancer. It invaded his nerves, blood vessels and bones, requiring him to undergo radiation therapy.
Brian needed a means of transport to the TriStar Centennial Medical Center every day for a month to receive treatment. He was no longer able to sell the paper, making it hard to pay his bills. Our community here at The Contributor stepped in and set up a GoFundMe page for him. They made sure he received proper wound care and access to treatments and physical therapy. Through The Contributor, Brian found not only a source of income but also a community that has been there for him through the highs and lows of his cancer journey.
Brian’s story highlights the importance of support in cancer care, but it also demonstrates that support doesn’t only come from family, especially for those who are homeless or have experienced homelessness. For Brian and countless others battling health issues, community organizations serve as a source of humanity and connection. Beyond The Contributor, organizations like Village at Glencliff and Room in the Inn offer shelter, People Loving Nashville and The Beat provide meals and Shower the People and Nashville Street Barbers aid with maintaining hygiene. Together, these form a vital network in Middle Tennessee that directly supports and maintains the health of our homeless neighbors. In addition, these programs unite people willing to help each other and be there for one another, creating a family forged not by blood but by interdependence and resilience.
Indeed, there are people like Vanderbilt University Medical Center’s (VUMC) Homeless Health Services team who provide vital medical care for the unhoused. But I’ve seen first-hand the power and impact created through the partnership between VUMC Homeless Health Services and The Contributor, which together address both the physical and emotional burdens of disease. In Brian’s words, cancer is a disease that “plays heavy on your mind.” Even when the physical battle is won, the ongoing emotional battle lingers — one that can only be fought with human support and empathy.
As cancer emerges as the leading cause of premature death in 57 countries and counting, we need to fund and support not only cancer research and treatment but also community organizations. These organizations create the unconditional love and support only a chosen family can provide, because the will to fight cancer is half the war itself.