SOS Friends & family of Drew, and the Venice community,

I'm Steven. I'm a recent customer / friend of Drew's car repair business on 41 in Venice FL. I stumbled upon Drews automotive shop through a friend in need of some serious repair on my mustang. Within minutes of talking to Drew, you're bound to have a new friend. He offered me such amazing customer service I'll never forget how I was treated that day. He walked me around the car, took me under it, explained what I would need to service in the future, and shared some love for the mustang brand himself.

After talking with Drew and hanging around for several hours, I discovered he had a questionable opening on the side of his neck, wide open flesh about 3-4 inches in length - visually appearing like a stab wound would. Drew shared with me that a previous doctor that he went to see about it 2 years ago had done a biopsy on it, but reported that all was well and had him run a course of antibiotics, but it still opens up and bleeds constantly, it never scabs fully up.

After strong encouragement from customers/friends/family he's gone and gotten it looked at by the best Dr. in the local area. This Dr. told Drew that there is absolutely nothing he or anyone in the area could do to help him, he must get to Moffit right away for an appointment. Drew has an appointment in 9 days at Moffit, it has been extremely difficult to get in. Drew shared with me that the look on the Dr. face put real fear to it for him for the first time about the situation, and he is desperate for answers.

Much more will be known once Drew has his appointment at Moffit regarding treatment, however Drew and his beloved wife Charleen and family - are preparing for a long road of enduring supportive recovery for Drew. Drew has a very aggressive squamous cell cancer that was mis-diagnosed, and has now spread to his ears and cheeks. It is not viewed as 'minor' at this time, and was advised it is very serious at this point,

Drew is preparing to pack up shop, and follow his medical guideline of treatment he's about to endure.

Everything is much of a surprise to the two of them, and planning has been VERY difficult on this family. When I found out about Drews situation, It stung, and I wanted to help out this kind man who bent over backwards for me. Drew is essentially a one man show at his auto business. He provides the customer service, mechanic work, office work, all while being a devoted husband. It's rare for him to come home before 11 pm from working long nights in the shop.

Drew has been painted nothing less to me than a giver, never a taker. I'll hit a few of the stories that touched me. For many years, Drew has had an open garage to any local veterans in Venice needing car repairs, FREE of charge. Nothing asked in return, ever. Drew wants the satisfaction of helping someone who helped him. If you ask him, he will simply tell you, "It's the right thing to do." Hundreds know him by name just for the charity based services he's given over the years.

Though it's not only veterans, From struggling single mothers, to ensure the child could get to school and the mother to work to, picking up homeless curbside, to buy them hotel rooms for hot showers. During hurricane Irma, a vast majority of the elderly neighbors came to Drew's door desperate for help. With no supplies and no tools, drew went to the department stores for each of the neighbors and spent late hours into the night boarding up everyone's windows and homes to ensure the elderly that were alone would be safe through the storm.

Drew is an active member of a community church in Englewood, that he very faithfully attends every Sunday. He's done a great deal of work for several churches from Miami to Sarasota. As a child, Drew was bed ridden for 10 years due to rheumatic fever, so he spent his free time perfecting drawing. He's a VERY talented airbrush artist on top of a mechanic, he enjoys donating art pieces to 4H Fairs, playgrounds, churches, baseball fields and people who enjoy airbrush art.

If you know Drew, you know how much he loves his wife, and how much he loves life. He's needing some help back from the community, as well as any dear friends and customers of his. I'm asking for him, because he won't himself. We all know that medical expenses stack up faster than we can keep up with them, and they are going to have some large bills for visits and medications, as well as relocation of the living situation.

If there is anything that you can give towards Drew's treatment, Drew and Charleen would be ever so grateful with anything received, as it will immensely help lessen the stress of what comes with such a brutal course. I will be posting updates on Drew, his treatment, and messages he wishes to share with any of you. Drew and Charleen ask that you keep them in your prayers strongly, they are doing everything in their good natured power to stay above water right now. Thank you everyone for taking your time to stop by the page.