UHRICHSVILLE Mark Ditcher's father, Paul, died of pancreatic cancer 18 years ago.
When he heard that a benefit was going to be held for Chad Poland, a Rush Township firefighter who has stage IV pancreatic cancer, Ditcher knew he wanted to help.
So he has donated a 1956 Dodge pickup truck that belonged to his father. It will be auctioned off at 7:30 p.m. June 9 at Rush Christian School, 4617 Watson Creek Road SE, Uhrichsville, with the proceeds going to help benefit the Poland family with the medical expenses they are incurring.
"What got me to donate it was that my father went through pancreatic cancer, kind of similar to Chad," Ditcher said. "For the last two weeks, my dad suffered pretty bad. I don't know Chad's wife and kids, but I just thought, this might be something that could help generate some money for them."
Paul Ditcher purchased the truck in the 1970s. He used it to drive back and forth to work. The elder Ditcher never restored the vehicle, but he did install a 302 Ford engine in it.
Mark Ditcher inherited it about six or seven years ago.
"I always wanted to restore it," he said. "It was always kind of a dream of mine, but it's not going to happen. I hope someone else restores it."
He said he is unsure what the vehicle is worth, but he hopes that it might sell for a couple thousand dollars.
"It does run pretty well," Ditcher said. "It's kind of surprising."
He said he doesn't know Poland that well.
"I volunteered as a wrestling coach for about 11 years at Claymont," he said. Poland was on the wrestling team at that time. "Chad was a very respectable young man. He was really a good guy."
Ditcher said he is donating the truck in memory of his father, Paul.
"He's still giving today in a different way," he said.
Reach Jon at 330-364-8415 or at jon.baker@timesreporter.com.
On Twitter: @jbakerTR