BUCKHANNON – A barbecue fundraiser to assist an Upshur County man combatting a rare form of cancer is slated for 4-7 p.m. Saturday at The Way of Holiness Church, located off Route 33 West in Buckhannon.

The purpose of a BBQ for Josh benefit fundraiser is to raise money for local resident, Josh Hull, and his family. Hull was diagnosed with chordoma in December 2018 after seeing his doctor about back pain.

According to the event’s Facebook page, the chances of being diagnosed with chordoma are literally 1 in a million. Money raised from the event will be utilized to help financially support his family while he takes time off from work to battle the disease.

Lynn Tenney and Sharla Smith are organizing Saturday evening’s dinner.

Tenney said she knows Hull through his wife, Kayla, and his mother-in-law Theresa Samples.

“As crazy as it sounds, I was just burdened by their situation, and God laid it on my heart to organize the benefit dinner,” Tenney said. “I reached out to my friend and sister in Christ, Sharla Smith, for her help. She has a lot of contacts in the community and awesome organizational skills! We’ve made a great team and are really looking forward to Saturday!”

“A lot of people have volunteered to help out during the dinner,” Tenney added.

According to a recent update on the event Facebook page, “Josh, Kayla and the kids are still staying with family while Josh continues his convalescence. Although he is in some discomfort and his legs are still numb, he grows a little stronger every day.

“Josh a has visited his medical team at Johns Hopkins three times since his surgery, he has had all tubes and staples removed. He has suffered no major setbacks and his doctors feel good that he is meeting recovery goals well.

“In the coming months Josh will continue to wear the back brace that provides support to his spine. While healing he is not allowed to bend, twist or lift anything (including his two young children). Josh will be in physical therapy for the foreseeable future, but it is unlikely that he will ever be able to return to his previously veryactive lifestyle. Josh is looking forward to a time when he can get back to work, but his doctors have said that will be at least 12 more months.”

Tickets for the barbecue benefit cost $12, and kids under age 10 eat free. The dinner is taking place in the Way of Holiness’s Fellowship Hall.

The menu includes a pork barbecue sandwich, choice of sides, drinks and an ice cream sundae bar, courtesy of Sweet-A-Licious. In addition to dinner, raffles and live music are planned.

Takeout meals are also available.

To purchase advance tickets, please contact Lynn at 304-704-9548 or Sharla at 304-439-4075.

The Hull family appreciates all forms of support they have received from friends and the community.

Anyone who isn’t able to attend the dinner but wishes to donate to the Hull family may do so by visiting https://www.gofundme.com/help-the-hull039s-fight-chordoma-cancer.