UNION GROVE, Wis. — A homeless veteran, in the fight for his own life, is making a plea for help to see his daughter who's undergoing surgery, as soon as possible.

Patrick Cavanagh and his wife, Michelle, said they spent months living in their car and in tents as they moved around from place to place.

What You Need To Know

  • A homeless veteran, in the fight for his own life, is making a plea for help to see his daughter who's undergoing surgery, as soon as possible.

  • Donna Kelly, the vice president of Ground Zero Veterans Outreach, opened her own home to Cavanaugh and his wife after hearing their story. They have been living in her basement

  • Cavanaugh’s 23-year-old daughter, who just had a baby, has also been diagnosed with the same type of brain cancer as him. Now, before he starts treatment, he’s trying to raise money to drive to visit her in Norfolk, Virginia

  • Cavanagh, who is originally from San Antonio, Texas, said he got mixed up in the wrong crowd and ended up in prison for a while. Before he was released, he said he was a victim of identity theft, and lost everything

Cavanagh, who is originally from San Antonio, Texas, said he got mixed up in the wrong crowd and ended up in prison for a while. Before he was released, he said he was a victim of identity theft — and lost everything.

“It’s been hard,” Cavanagh said. “Real hard.”

(Photo courtesy of Michelle Cavanagh)

He and his wife found help through Ground Zero Veterans Outreach in Union Grove, Wisconsin. The nonprofit organization provides free food, clothing and home supplies to veterans in need. It also helps connect veterans to the VA Medical Center and housing options.

Cavanaugh started helping out at Ground Zero Veterans Outreach as a way to give back to the organization for helping him.

“Angels, they are angels,” Cavanagh said. “They came at the right time and gave us the opportunity that no one else would, and I am very grateful.”

Donna Kelly, the vice president of Ground Zero Veterans Outreach, opened her own home to Cavanaugh and his wife after hearing their story. They have been living in her basement.

(Spectrum News 1/Megan Marshall)

“It just means so much to me because I know what they go through,” Kelly said. “I know what it feels like to be part of a military family.”

Kelly also helped connect them to someone donating a car, and to the Milwaukee VA for health checkups. That’s where Cavanaugh found out he has brain cancer.

In a cruel twist of fate, Cavanaugh’s 23-year-old daughter, who just had a baby, has also been diagnosed with the same type of brain cancer.

Now, before he starts treatment, he’s trying to raise money to drive to visit her in Norfolk, Virginia. His goal is to be there when she undergoes surgery later this month.

“It would mean a lot,” he said. “I haven’t seen my kids since 2017 or 2018. That’s the last time I saw them.”

Kelly is now going above and beyond once again, taking donations to help Cavanagh get to Norfolk this holiday season. Donations can be made by calling her at 224-440-3716.

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