B.C. man denied cancer treatment because of his living situation

Chemotherapy could save Terry Willis’ life, but his current living situation is standing in the way of that happening.

The 50-year-old has been denied chemotherapy because he’s currently staying at a supportive housing facility in Victoria.

It’s the second time Willis has fought blood cancer in seven years, but he says his oncologist won’t start chemo treatments because his living situation isn’t a suitable recovery environment.

However, the Portland Hotel Society, where Willis lives, says they're working with him and his doctors to facilitate his treatment for non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

The Island Health authority is also in discussions with the BC Cancer Agency, BC Housing and the PHS to get Willis the help that he needs.

“No one at any of our housing projects is being denied chemotherapy because of their housing," explained Dr. Christy Sutherland, the medical director at PHS.

"We cannot go into details because of privacy laws, but it is not standard for an oncologist to advise against treatment because of someone’s place of residence."

But that's not that Victoria housing and health advocates are saying and they claim that this is far from an isolated incident in the province's capital.

There are many other vulnerable people in shelters who aren’t getting the care they need for the same reason.

Willis was a former warehouse worker who ended up on the streets after his wife died.

With files from the Canadian Press.