This gentle giant, Joe Baratta, needs our help.

My brother, Joe Baratta, needs our help. Joe went into the hospital for an emergency angioblast just 3 weeks ago and while he was on the operating table his artery burst and he had a heart attack. The surgeons performed open heart surgery on Joe and it seemed to go well. While Joe was in the hospital it was discovered that Joe also has colon cancer. He went back into surgery for another operation. The were able to remove all the cancer.

The last time I spoke to Joe on the phone he was feeling optimistic and anxious to get home to his family. When he got home his wife, Zelda, noticed that Joe had a serious skin infection. Joe was admitted to the Cowichan hospital for a third surgery to treat the skin infection. At this time Joe is still in the hospital.

The skin infection is serious and not responding to treatment. A new treatment of antibiotics is going to be started today. Joe and Zelda need our help. Joe can't return to his job with the Times Colonist. Zelda has used up all her sick time to be with Joe and is expected to be back to work on Wednesday.

This just doesn't seem right. Zelda has been a nurse at the Chemainus Healthcare Centre taking care of other families loved ones for 25 years and now she needs to be home caring for her husband. When I spoke to her this morning and asked her if it would be ok if I started a gofundmepage she said, "I'm ok with it but I don't know if people can spare much right now but every little bit would help us".

My sister in law is always thinking about others. Joe and Zelda have a large family including 3 children, 7 grandchildren and another on the way. They just want their dad and papa home. Anything you can afford will help Joe and Zelda through this medical crisis. Your help will ease their financial worries right now and let them know they're not alone.  

Joe and Zelda have medical expenses and also lost wages until it is determined if and when Joe can go back to work.  All donations will go directly to expenses related to this medical crisis.