Ugly words for a sad truth: Clint Carter has cancer.

The long-time Blues musician is having treatment for a multitude of conditions as he approaches his 70th birthday.

And gratitude is uppermost in his mind as his Nov. 16 benefit approaches.

An event billed as the “We Care for Clint Benefit and 70th Birthday Bash!” is planned at the Long Beach Elks Lodge. It will feature four hours of music. Donations from those attending will help pay for his medical treatments.

“I have got a million friends that care for me,” Carter said, astonished at the outpouring of support for the coming benefit.

And he has a health message to everyone: “Get tested!”

“Don’t wait. Go ahead and get stuff taken care of,” he urged.

Award

Carter is a guitarist and leader of North Coast Blues, one of the bands that always plays at the Peninsula Blues Festival. The outdoor festival at the Port of Nahcotta filled the gap when an Ilwaco event, also run by Carter, concluded.

The festival has made donations to the Peninsula’s food banks, as well as supporting veterans’ groups and the Ilwaco High School music program. Earlier this year, it shared the Cascade Blues Association’s Muddy Award for Best Northwest Event at the annual regional celebration in Portland.

‘Pain’

Carter’s health issues have emerged over the course of two or three years. He said he thought about cancelling this summer’s seventh-annual festival, but decided to go ahead to avoid disappointing fans.

He has been candid in online posts about his cancer journey as he approaches his 70th birthday in December. It appeared to begin with prostate cancer, but problems spread to his spine and pelvis. “I didn’t know this was happening,” he said.

After encountering health concerns while fishing on Loomis Lake, he asked his wife, Laurie, to take him to the emergency room. “The pain in my groin was really bad,” he recalled.

After tests, the ER doctor returned with words that Carter can recite verbatim. “He says, ‘I hate this, but I have to tell you that you have lesions on your legs and arms … everywhere.’”

That grim message led to more tests and a serious diagnosis.

Now well along a path of treatments, Carter said he wanted to make a plea for others to share their health concerns and get help. “Tell people that you love, that are close to you, that you are hurting,” he said. “Don’t try to be a tough guy.”

‘Love’

He credits his wife and daughter, Terra Hotine for their loving support. “They have been right by me every step of the way.”

Hotine, who lives in Post Falls, Idaho, is eloquent describing their relationship.

“I call my Dad ‘my first and longest love’ for good reason,” she said. “Dad was 19 when I was born, so we were basically babies learning about life together. Dad has always been my best friend.

“A lot of my best memories have Dad involved in them. We have laughed until we cried at the silliest things. We’ve confided our deepest secrets to each other without fear of judgment.

“We’ve endured a lot of not-so-great things together and come out stronger on the other side. Dad is a huge part of my heart and soul, always has been.

“I’m so proud of the legacy he has created with the Blues Festival. I’m thankful that people see the true Clint and love him almost as much as I do.”