HGTV newcomer Charlie Kawas was facing a major renovation challenge on camera when he was handed an even more serious challenge in his personal life.
The contractor is preparing to make his HGTV debut in “Botched Homes,” but viewers will also see Kawas navigate a testicular cancer diagnosis that came during production.
Kawas, 44, was already juggling multiple renovation projects when increasing back pain sent him to the emergency room. Doctors eventually discovered a tumor and delivered the diagnosis on April 1.
Kawas Opened Up About His Diagnosis
“The doctor came in. He goes, ‘I have some terrible news,’” Kawas recalled to PEOPLE. “I said, ‘Okay.’ He goes, ‘You were diagnosed with testicular cancer.’ I said, ‘Alright, well, what do we do now?’”
The news arrived at an especially difficult time for the contractor. Kawas was responsible for five renovation projects and described himself as someone who is directly involved in the physical work.
“I’m the guy on the ladder, on the scaffold, doing the work, dealing with the clients,” he said. “So how do you just remove the main guy to go take care of treatment? I wasn’t ready for it. It was probably the worst possible time it could have happened.”
Instead of walking away from the projects or the HGTV series, Kawas made arrangements to keep everything going. He took about two weeks to organize his jobs before beginning chemotherapy and continued filming as he went through treatment.
The decision was partly about the homeowners whose projects he had already taken on.
“These homeowners put trust in us and we all worked so hard doing this, so I don’t want to stop,” he said. “I want to continue the process. I want to continue filming. I want to continue this journey that we’re on and include the cancer into the show.”
That choice means Kawas’ health battle will become part of “Botched Homes,” which premieres Sept. 2. He said he wanted to be open about what was happening rather than hide it from viewers.
“This is reality . . . Let’s include it and let the world know that when you get terrible news like I did, that doesn’t mean you stop everything,” he said.
Kawas also had to prepare his family for what was ahead. He and his wife, Pierra, share daughters Charli, 14, and Cami, 12. Telling the girls about their dad’s diagnosis was one of the more difficult parts of the experience.
“At first, it was hard to break the news to them,” Kawas said. “We said, ‘Listen, Daddy was diagnosed with cancer, but you shouldn’t worry. Once he gets through, it’s going to be fine. He’s not going anywhere. Daddy’s going to be here and there’s nothing to worry about.’”
Kawas’ treatment continued through July, and he has now completed chemotherapy. The process has taken a physical toll, including considerable fatigue, weight loss and hair loss.
“I would go from grabbing something with one hand and swinging it around because I do construction. And now it was challenging,” he said. “I’m eager to get back on the job and start swinging the hammer again.”
There is still an important step ahead. Kawas has another PET scan scheduled, which he says will determine whether he is cancer-free.
For now, he is looking toward the future and hoping his experience can help others dealing with their own health struggles.
“I want to be an inspiration to people,” Kawas said. “I want to show people that you can keep going. I’ll let the world know, don’t give up.”
