Embracing the People Around Him

World Golf Hall of Fame member Payne Stewart once said, “A bad attitude is worse than a bad swing.” The golf course is one of Steve’s favorite places. Steve works there part-time, interacting with customers and playing a round or two each week, where he can interact with his community.

“I like people!” Steve said. “I enjoy helping others get what they need.”

A typical day for Steve involves golf, friends, and family. He loves being outside in the sunshine, where he can enjoy the fresh air.

“I’m a man of many endeavors,” Steve said. “I was always an athletic and healthy man. My family and I live regular lives.”

Steve’s regular life wasn’t always a given. In 2015, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. But his community of friends and family buoyed him, boosting his spirits.

“I was extremely grateful,” Steve said. “I have the best support system.”

And for 18 months, Steve’s cancer stayed in remission. That all changed when he began experiencing severe back pain that lingered for months and he finally went to the emergency room. There, doctors discovered more than 100 small tumors — the cancer was back.

“I thought, ‘Now what?’ Steve said.

A typical day for Steve involves golf, friends, and family. He loves being outside in the sunshine, where he can enjoy the fresh air. “I like people!” he said.

Thankfully, Steve’s doctor knew of a treatment he believed would work. However, it was not fully covered by Steve’s health insurance plan.

“I saw people were responding extremely well to the treatment,” Steve said. “But then I saw how much it was going to cost me.”

Social workers at the University of Vermont Medical Center referred Steve to The Assistance Fund’s (TAF’s) Prostate Cancer Copay Assistance Program. The program provides financial assistance for out-of-pocket costs for all prescribed FDA-approved treatment for prostate cancer, such as copays, deductibles, and coinsurance.

“TAF takes away the stress,” Steve said. “If it wasn’t for TAF, I wouldn’t be doing all of this with my friends and family. It allows my family to stay in our home.”

Steve says he’s grateful for the simple things like making dinner and checking in with his friends, several of whom also are living with prostate cancer. He credits those friends, and help from TAF, for helping him keep moving.

“TAF assistance is remarkable,” Steve said. “It provides me peace.”