Coach Doug Dobias needs us!

Hi Everyone. I hope this message finds you well. As I sit here writing this now, our good friend, mentor and Coach Doug Dobias is heading into another surgery in Hamilton Hospital. This is one of many surgeries that he has had to endure in the last year and a half.

Several years ago, Doug had an operation to repair an issue with acid reflux and a hiatal hernia. He has had nothing but problems with his stomach and digestion since. That surgery was not a successful one. His health issues have increased significantly in the last year. To the point where he is unable to keep any food down. He has lost over 100 pounds in a year and has had to have a feeding tube inserted into his stomach. His health has deteriorated to the point where he can no longer earn a living and can no longer manage his business. He has suffered a significant loss of income.

To add some icing to the proverbial cake, he has trouble with his jeep and can not afford to make the necessary repairs to transport himself to appointments. So, he has to constantly rely on others to be available when he gets the calls for these (sometimes unscheduled) appointments. Recently, he was told by a health professional that if he doesn't have today's surgery, he will not live longer than 3 months. Today they are inserting a feeding tube directly into his small intestine in hopes that this will enable him to keep him from continuously bringing up his food and medication. The eventual fix requires finding a Dr who is willing (and is capable) of repairing the original botched surgery that has closed off the entrance to his stomach. We have found this Dr in Canada, but with covid delays and our overburdened health system, there is no surgery date in sight. Although we remain hopeful that this is his course of action. Doug may not survive the wait; his situation is that dire. We have found a clinic in Buffalo that could do it, but it will run into tens of thousands (we don't have a specific number yet as we are awaiting a medical code from a Canadian Dr that will determine the cost.) This US surgery is a last chance option if the Canada surgery does not come through in a timely fashion. We remain hopeful that our Canadian health system will assist with this. We will edit the fundraising amount needed to reflect any changes that occur.

I'd like to share a message from Ronnie. A very good, longtime friend who wrote this when Doug received his boxing Legend award. I feel this message perfectly expresses who and what Doug is, to his friends, family and his community. A community that he has been part of for many decades. If you know Doug, then you know he is ALWAYS there for anyone and everyone who needs him. You wouldn’t even have to ask.

"You're welcome Doug. I love you too and I'm very proud of you! Watching you receive your "Boxing Legends" award was a wonderful experience all around! Some of the nicest and hardest working people I have ever known have come from Napper's boxing club and the boxing community as a whole and no kinder and more giving coach has ever graced this group than you Doug! Without earning a single dime you have trained, coached, mentored, taught, found shelter for, helped the parents of, fed, clothed, transported, embraced, entertained, bought equipment for, held pads for, taken endless punches from, lent your equipment to, stayed up to wee hours of the morning with, helped bury the loved ones of, helped raise money for, defended the rights and well being of, helped to further the education of, supported the controversial choices and decisions of and loved deeply all of the fighters, coaches and owners you have had the pleasure of knowing. All this while raising and also training two of the kindest, nicest and most charming kids out there! These are some of the reasons I felt you deserved your award like few others and this is why I am so proud of you! Congratulations on 32 years of boxing greatness! Cheers, Ronnie"

I had planned on explaining who Doug is and what he has done for everyone and anyone that has ever met him but nothing could express it better than this letter from Ronnie.

Doug needs a rally. I hope you will all join us in helping him. Even if you aren’t in a situation to help him financially, please send your love and prayers his way. He needs them all right now.

If you are uncomfortable with the GFM platform or don't use a CC we are also accepting e-transfers at intuition171 at gmail. com with "Doug" in the message line

Thank you in advance,