Dentist donates new dentures to cancer patient

TAYLOR, Mich. (WJBK) - A dentist in Woodhaven is helping out a man with cancer after seeing his story air on FOX 2.

Steve Borkowski is partially blind, and he tripped and fell recently while out shopping. He broke his dentures in the fall.

The 64-year-old is already paying off major medical debt, and the store's insurance company wouldn't help him. He has stage three throat cancer, so he couldn't afford new teeth.

Fortunately Dr. Linda from Gentle Family Dentist in Woodhaven and Sterling Heights was watching last week and saw Borkowski's story.

“Thank you. Thank you so much. Thank you,” said Borkowski as he hugged Dr. Ousachi.

“I just thought he’s been through enough - battling the cancer and everything. So I just wanted to help in any way I could,” said Dr. Ousachi.

Last week, Borkowski tripped on a pallet while shopping at Home Depot in Taylor. He was transported to the hospital by ambulance.

“Down I went. It was a face plant. I managed to break the fall with my teeth,” said Borkowski.

Home Depot’s insurance company told him his injuries and damages likely wouldn’t be covered, so his family turned to Fox 2.

“They were talking about the medical bills with the cancer, and just making a partial and a denture could cost about $5,000. So we wanted to make sure he didn’t have to worry about that,” said Dr. Ousachi.

“We are so in debt right now to Karmanos. They’ve been keeping him alive so that bill is our first priority all the time, so another medical bill was just…” said Michelle Price, Borkowski’s wife.

Dr. Linda’s gift is a tremendous weight off their shoulders. Borkowski lost more than 130 pounds going through cancer treatment. He’s doing well now, but he needs to eat. For that, he needs new dentures, which he should have within a month.

“I’ve got my heart set on a cheeseburger.”

I think we can arrange that! We also talked to the corporate folks at Home Depot. They apologized for the inconvenience and promise to get a payment expedited. They also wished Borkowski a full recovery.

“It really kind of re-ignited my faith in humanity, and I can’t say enough about the doctor and these people and thanks to Fox 2 as well,” said Borkowski. “You guys kind of got the ball rolling.”