Help Joe Skeen Receive Compassionate End-of-Life Care

Good morning, my name is Kate McCauley (aka Mrs. B/OSSM). Joseph (Joe) Skeen is my brother, a beloved and chosen family member. Joe desperately needs our help. Joe is dying of Glioblastoma, an aggressive malignant brain tumor that is always fatal in adults. I am seeking funds to provide Home Health Support, Funeral, and Memorial costs. Joe is now in Chicago, IL, in a private home provided by his dearest friend Catherine Z. Joe will stay here until he passes from this life.

Joe has exhausted his limited financial means and is no longer able to work. I would like to see Joe’s life end safely and comfortably, surrounded by those who love him and professional Home Health Professionals not covered by insurance or Hospice. Joe currently needs 24/7 care. We estimate these costs to be $30,000 for 6 weeks and $8,000 to cover funeral and memorial costs. All funds donated will go directly to support Joe's needs.

Joe is truly a “Beacon of Light” and a hero to those who have crossed his path in this life. He is known to be kind, a generous man who has aided many and now needs help. Whether your association with Joe is through Future Farmers of America (FFA) in West Virginia, Oklahoma School of Sciences & Mathematics (OSSM), or as a Federal Employee working for the Veterans Administration (VA) in St. Paul, Minnesota, his no-frills yet adventurous spirit spread easily amongst those who call him friend. Joe just gets the importance of all things big and small, and his unselfish nature moved him to donate a kidney to a total stranger in 2020 because, of course, for Joe, it was the honorable thing, the right thing for him to do. Catherine and Joe found an instant bond between them.

Joe was diagnosed with Glioblastoma in July 2023. While we shared the hope for a miracle through surgery and groundbreaking treatments, we have come to know that this cancer will take his life in the coming months. Initially, Joe appeared to be recovering, slowly but recovering, and was able to return to work at the VA phone center following his surgery in October 2023, supported by HCP GMB treatments. Unfortunately, these life-saving treatments have not produced the recovery we hoped for, and in August of this year, a second brain surgery found that Joe's cancerous tumors are so deeply placed within his brain that recovery appears impossible. Joe is 52 years young, considered to be a man of truth, sensitivity, great empathy, and an undauntable spirit with an occasional taste for aged bourbon. A stand-up guy, and in his time of need, found himself abandoned by his spouse, who immediately filed for divorce. This cruelty has deeply wounded the soul of our dear friend.

Please consider helping Joe. If you would like more information about Joe, I can be reached at [email redacted].