NORTH SCITUATE — The past several months have been especially challenging for Paul, who learned in November that he had a cancerous growth in one of his kidneys.
A former cable line worker, Paul is now disabled due to spinal problems that he says have worsened with time. He said that over the last few years he has had to rely on several programs designed to assist those on low or fixed incomes in paying some of their winter heating bills, including Keep the Heat On.
Although he was able to get by on the fuel assistance he received through other agency programs over the last couple of years, Paul said that this year he again had to seek help from the diocese when other sources were late in releasing their aid.
He said he had been grateful for the help in the past, and knows how important the fuel assistance is to those having trouble making ends meet.
Paul had been running an electric space heater in his home in order to conserve the oil remaining in the tank, and knew he couldn’t stretch the fuel much longer. It was at that point that he reached out to the diocese of help.
“It’s a Godsend. People like me just can’t come up with $400 at once to pay for oil. It’s hard to put that kind of money aside,” Paul said, appreciative of the help he was provided by the Keep the Heat On program, which came in the form of 50 gallons of heating oil.
“I’m very, very grateful for this,” he said.
In January, Paul underwent surgery to remove the affected kidney and is still recovering from the procedure.
Having been diagnosed with renal cell cancer, he now has to undergo imaging at regular intervals to insure the disease remains in check.
“Keep me in your prayers,” he said.
The challenge faced by Paul in keeping his home warm is one also being faced by many others across the state, one made even more difficult an increase in the price of home heating oil, which has climbed 33 cents — from an average low of $3.72 on Dec. 15, near the official start of the winter season, to $4.05 on Feb. 25, according to the state’s Office of Energy Resources.
