On what should have been the first step toward healing, an eastern Washington man faced a devastating setback. Val Mohney, who had traveled to Seattle to begin treatment for prostate cancer, discovered his car had been stolen and crashed—on the very first day of his medical appointments. For someone already navigating the emotional and physical toll of cancer, the added blow of losing a vital lifeline was both unexpected and deeply disruptive.

Mohney, a longtime Seattle resident who now lives in Davenport, had returned to the city for care, staying with a friend in the Columbia City neighborhood. Early Tuesday morning, he received a call from Seattle police informing him that his vehicle had been found crashed into a fence at Dimmitt Middle School, several miles from where it had been parked. The car had been stolen overnight, and the suspect remained unidentified as of that evening.

“Unfortunately I started my day off with having my car ripped off and driven through a fence,” Mohney told reporters. “I’m just trying to deal with cancer, and now I have to deal with that.” His words reflect the emotional weight of managing a serious illness while also being thrust into the chaos of a crime victim’s reality.

The damage to the car was extensive. Mohney described the ignition as if someone had “taken a grenade” to it, rendering the vehicle unusable. It was left abandoned in the school’s parking lot, a vivid symbol of the senselessness and disregard often accompanying such thefts. For Mohney, the car was more than just a mode of transportation—it was a cornerstone of his personal and professional life.

As a real estate agent, Mohney relies heavily on his vehicle to meet clients and conduct business. “I’m the sole breadwinner, so if I’m not making money, there’s no money coming in,” he explained. The loss of the car directly impacts his ability to earn a living, adding financial stress to an already overwhelming medical journey. This situation underscores how car theft can ripple across every part of a person’s life, from health care access to income stability.

At home, Mohney’s responsibilities are just as demanding. His partner is disabled, and much of his time is devoted to caring for his mother, who lives with dementia. Balancing caregiving, work, and now cancer treatment is a daunting task. The theft has complicated an already fragile balance, pushing him to rely more heavily on his support network.

Despite the hardship, Mohney expressed gratitude for the community that surrounds him. “Really, I’m very fortunate because I have a big community of people that love me, and I don’t know how people that don’t do it when stuff like that comes up,” he said. That sense of community is proving essential as he navigates both treatment and recovery from the theft.

Kristin Dean, the friend with whom Mohney was staying, is helping him travel back and forth between Seattle and eastern Washington so he can continue working between treatments. However, the need to replace the stolen car looms large. For many, a vehicle is a lifeline—especially when it connects them to medical care, income, and caregiving duties. This incident highlights how deeply a single act of theft can affect someone’s life, particularly when they are already vulnerable.

Seattle police are currently reviewing surveillance footage in hopes of identifying the suspect. As of Tuesday evening, no arrests had been made. In the meantime, Mohney’s friends have launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover the costs of replacing the car and supporting him through his cancer treatment. He is described by those close to him as someone who has spent his life helping others, and now the community is rallying to return that kindness.

I found this detail striking: even amid such personal adversity, Mohney’s gratitude for his support system remains front and center. His resilience and perspective offer a poignant reminder of the strength found in community and the importance of showing up for one another during life’s most difficult moments.

For those facing serious health challenges, dependable transportation is not a luxury—it’s a necessity. Mohney’s experience underscores the broader implications of car theft, particularly for individuals juggling complex responsibilities and medical needs. It also serves as a call to action for communities to support their neighbors, especially when unforeseen events threaten to derail already difficult journeys.

As Mohney continues with his tests, scans, and radiation treatments, the hope is that justice will be served and that his path forward becomes just a little bit easier. In the meantime, his story is a powerful example of resilience in the face of compounded hardship—and of the vital role that community plays in helping one another through.

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