Last week, I covered a story about some boys in blue, with hearts of gold.
This week, our story of inspiration comes from a local newspaper I receive. I’m not talking about your standard big city newspapers, like the Detroit News and Freepress. We’re talking about those flimsy little twelve pagers that still exist mainly because they are 76% local coupons. You don’t have a subscription. They just show up in your mailbox.
More often than not, these publications don’t even make it into my house. They go swiftly from the mailbox to the recycle bin, but the headline on the front page of this edition caught my eye:
“Filling a Void – Farmington-based Nonprofit offers Rides and More for Cancer Patients“
The hero of this story is Chuck Schotten. He was diagnosed with bladder cancer in 2021. He endured three surgeries and 25 chemotherapy sessions over the course of four months. There were many times when he wasn’t sure if he would make it. Fortunately, within the same year, his doctor dubbed him cancer-free.
As he reflected upon his challenges, he realized what a ridiculously hard time it was for him and his wife. He really wanted to be able to help others who were going through the same thing.
He didn’t think he’d have much to offer, but he talk about his experience a lot at his church. After a meeting one day, a guy approached him asking if he had thought of starting a 501(c)3.
“I don’t have the money for that,” Chuck replied.
To which the guy (who is never identified in the story, BTW) says, “I do.”
And the Michigan Cancer Support Network was born.
After talking to many other cancer patients, Chuck found that the greatest need is transportation. Many insurance companies don’t cover it, and they typically don’t allow you to call a cab or Uber.
He started with a van with a wheelchair lift. He now has five other drivers that transport patients in their own vehicles and pay for gas out of their own pockets. All patients are driven individually because their immune systems are too compromised by the treatments.
In addition to rides, they also pay for professional Christian counseling (if they want it), wigs and headcoverings, as well as counseling for the caregivers. Their website lists other services as well, like cancer exercises and expense assistance.
Many of his clients are poor, elderly women. Most of them don’t have cars or anyone in their life that can help. “There’s a whole segment of society that slips through the cracks,” says Chuck. “Those are the people we are trying to help the most.”
He goes on to say that even though they are a Christian-based organization, they will help anyone. One also does not need to prove they are in financial straits to receive their services.
“We will help anyone,” says Schotten.
Chuck makes one other comment that really resonates with me:
“My whole world existed at the end of my nose for so long. I think a lot of us live this way.“
I’ve spent some time dwelling on that statement. I do it, too. If I’m good, if my family is good, then life is good. But there’s a lot of people out there struggling. What can I do to help?
Life is a dark ride 
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