NORFOLK, Va. – When Mr. Roberts first visited a doctor to complain of a swelling on his stomach, he was told not to worry. According to the physician, it wasn't serious.

"He came in and I showed him the area, and he told me it was normal for a guy my size," Roberts said.

Thanks to a partnership between OBI and Sentara, Mr. Roberts, a patient with cancer, received dental care free-of-charge.

Three years later, the bulge returned, and this time the news wasn't so positive.

"He told me I had stomach cancer," Roberts remembers. "In 55 years I haven't been sick— until this."

February will mark the one year anniversary of Robert's diagnosis. For the past year, he has been receiving weekly chemotherapy treatments to combat the cancer.

Doctors expect treatment to continue for the rest of Roberts' life.

With his rising healthcare costs, Roberts was left unable to afford some badly-needed dental work.

"My whole life I've had insurance," he said. "But when the chemo started, I couldn't even afford my dental."

On January 14, however, Roberts found help when Operation Blessing's Mobile Dental Clinic pulled into the parking lot of the Adult Clinic of South Norfolk in Chesapeake.

After setting up an appointment, OBI volunteer dentists performed several procedures on Roberts, including several tooth extractions.

"Bottom line, it's a blessing," Roberts said. "I'm thankful. That's the best way I can say it— I'm thankful."

In 2007, through a partnership with Sentara Norfolk, OBI performed thousands of dollars worth of dental procedures on patients being treated for cancer, who couldn't otherwise afford the work. Roberts was referred to the dental program through his Sentara case worker.

"The need for dental care is widespread," said Dean Nowotny, senior manager of domestic programs for Operation Blessing. "There are not many avenues to find help with those needs and OBI is working to fill that void."

HOW YOU CAN HELP
Be a part of OBI's ongoing medical relief efforts by making an online contribution to help those suffering from extreme poverty and sickness.

 

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