Lynn & Dan Navigate Hurricane Helene's Devastation & Cancer

Hurricane Helene swept through Florida this weekend, leaving behind destruction and despair. Tragically, my family, two of the nicest people on the planet, Lynn and Dan Watnem, lost their home and all of their belongings in the storm. Lynn and Dan grew up in the small town of Humboldt, Iowa, where they raised their families. Once retired, they moved to a modest house in Siesta Key, FL, to live out their dreams in a sunny, warm place they’ve always loved visiting.

Sadly, amidst the chaos, there is also a heartbreaking reality the family hasn’t widely shared: Dan’s stage 4 colon cancer has returned. He was initially diagnosed in 2022 and had multiple surgeries and treatments. Things were looking up, and he was in remission until a few months ago. They have found additional cancer spots, and he is now undergoing treatment and once again fighting for his life. The hurricane hitting and devastating their home is more than one family should bear alone. They are proud people and would never ask for help, but they are hurting.

In the blink of an eye, their world has been turned upside down these last two years. Not only are they dealing with the devastating loss of their home now, but they are also navigating the challenges of Dan’s cancer returning. The emotional and financial strain is entirely overwhelming. Insurance in Florida is not covering any belongings in their home. Everything in the house was ruined and submerged in 5 ft of water due to storm surge from the hurricane. It’s a total loss.

This post intends to help give them hope and ease their worry so they can continue to focus on fighting Dan’s cancer.

How You Can Help:

We are asking for donations to help Lynn and Dan regain their feet. Your contributions will go towards:

• Finding temporary housing

• Replacing belongings lost in the storm

• Covering medical expenses for Dan’s cancer treatment

• Helping with daily living expenses as they rebuild their lives

Thank you for being so supportive during this incredibly challenging time. Your kindness and generosity will make a huge difference and relieve some of the burden they are feeling right now.