Ike victim finds place of encouragement while fighting cancer

It's been a struggle for families on Bolivar to bounce back after Hurricane Ike and even tougher for an 81 year old man who lost his home and is now battling cancer.

He has found a special place of encouragement in Beaumont.

This is Jim Nance's home away from home. 

"This is home I got a closet and my clothes hanging right here," said Jim Nance.

Nance has been living at the Anayat House on McFaddin Street for a month now.

"I love it, I love it," said Nance.

Nance is happy he's able to live so close to Christus Hospital St. Elizabeth while undergoing chemotherapy and radiation five times a week at the cancer center.

 "I don't know what I would have done without it.  This has been a blessing to me," said Nance.

 A blessing to have a bed of his own and a place to rest his feet.

 The 81 year old found out he had colon cancer two months ago.  He was in the middle of repairing his Port Bolivar home after Hurricane Ike ripped it apart.

 "I couldn't afford a motel and that'd be about my only chance," said Nance.

 But his luck had changed.  The Anayat House, a non profit organization, had a room available.

 Pat Coldewey, the executive director of the Anayat House, says it's designed to give families a home-like setting while they're undergoing any kind of medical treatment.

 "We really want guests to come and feel at home and so they can cook if they choose too," said Coldewey.

 There are coffee pots, a refrigerator full of food and a pantry stocked with a little bit of everything.

 "This is home and we want them to feel at home," said Coldewey.

 The staff says it costs almost $130,000 a year to operate the Anayat House.  At $14 a person and with only 4 rooms, donations are important.

 "I'm very proud of what we do and I want Beaumont to get on board," said Coldewey.

 A place for residents like Jim Nance to call home while he overcomes his cancer in a comfortable, home-like setting.

 The Anayat House can accommodate ten people.  It also provides housing for families with a loved one in any of the local hospitals.

 If you'd like to donate to the organization, call Pat at 833-0649.