Cancer Devastates Charlie’s Family

15 August 2023: Put yourself in Charlie Shoemaker's shoes...

We all know that sometimes life is not fair. For Charlie Shoemaker and his family, ‘not fair’ doesn’t come close to describing their devastating circumstances.

Charlie is my friend and my loyal, trusted employee. He is husband to his wife, Sarah, and dad to their 14–month–old daughter, Serenity, and, as of August 17th, also to his newborn son David. August 17th should have been a joyous and happy time for this wonderful little family.

Charlie lives in a tiny town of less than 500 people in rural New Mexico – miles from the nearest conveniences and services that most of us take for granted. He rents a small house there and works as a heavy equipment operator. He is one of the most honest, hard-working, and nicest men I have ever employed. He doesn’t deserve what has befallen him.

Just two days before the birth of his son, Charlie was rushed to the ER in Socorro, New Mexico where the limp and pain in his leg that he’d been dealing with for six weeks, was diagnosed as cancer. The cancer had already spread to his spine and pelvic region. Then, on the day that his new son David was born, in the very same hospital, Charlie’s doctors told him that more cancer had been found in his liver and elsewhere—and that it was inoperable. It’s hard to believe that only a few days ago his only symptom of illness was a limp.

When we hear tragic stories like this, it’s natural to try to cope with the seeming hopelessness of it all by putting it out of our minds. After all, unless your name is Bill Gates or Elon Musk, no one person can meaningfully change the dire financial circumstances this family is facing. There are certainly not enough resources in Charlie’s tiny town for his neighbors and family members to make a dent in this problem for him – nor would he ever ask. But I’m asking for him.

The magnifying power of the internet means that if each us did just a little, if we shared this story with our friends and co-workers, with our churches and our networks - we could truly create a miracle here. And make no mistake, that’s how Charlie would label this outpouring of kindness from strangers around the country.

So, think about how you would feel if you were Charlie and this was all happening to you. And then consider giving – not until it hurts, but until it feels good.

At this early stage, Charlie’s doctors have yet to even identify the type of cancer that is ravaging his body. And while things don’t look good right now, Charlie is a fighter! So in the short term, our generosity will strengthen him as he wages his battle. And maybe we can all save his family from the long-chain consequences that this cancer will cause them.

Please, consider giving and sharing Charlie’s story with others. The Shoemaker family needs our help and God’s tender mercies.

Jay Carroll

Pie Town, New Mexico