Steve Manderla Campaign
Donation protected
Meet my hero Steve, the kindest, most generous, funniest and brave man that I have the honour of knowing.
If you have a dog and go to High Park or Sorauren Park you will know Steve. Even if you’ve never spoken with him you will recognize him because he has a unmistakable face.
I’m not sure how long ago (I’ve know Steve 4 years) he was diagnosed with bone cancer in his jaw and went through chemo & radiation that almost killed him and he was left with one very dangerous choice with a low survival rate and that was to have his jaw, his tongue and other cancerous tissue removed. But Steven is a very stubborn man and even dying on the operating table, I don’t know how many times, he survived, jawless maybe but his sense of humour, his kindness and deep love of dogs remained intact.
The recovery from the surgery was long & painful but it was not long before another health crisis hit him, he was diagnosed with a very serious and life threatening heart condition and he had to have immediate triple bypass surgery. Once again beating the odds he survived and his doctors tell him he’s doing very well now.
Steve worked for the TTC and is now on long term disability and he walks dogs to make ends meet. But recently the axel in his beloved Jeep broke and he does not have the funds to pay for its repair and he relys on his vehicle for everything including dog pick up and drop offs. He also suffers from arthritis and various other health issues but it may slow him down but doesn’t stop him. Just recently I saw him walking two dogs past my place because he is unable to walk to High Park let alone with dogs in tow.
He needs our help , I have never met anyone more deserving of our help because he is the most wonderful man who struggles everyday to survive, he never complains and will literally give you the shirt off his back if you are in need.
Over the past 8 months he looked after my dog because my mother was diagnosed with cancer and I had to go to Hamilton to help her. So Steve took my Mazy (who loves him to death) for months because I couldn’t look after her and he told me “don’t worry, pay me what you can”.
A heart of gold is an understatement. I think most people who would have endured what he has endured it would have made them bitter and angry but not Steve that’s why he’s my hero, my inspiration and I am so proud to call him my friend.
If you have a dog and go to High Park or Sorauren Park you will know Steve. Even if you’ve never spoken with him you will recognize him because he has a unmistakable face.
I’m not sure how long ago (I’ve know Steve 4 years) he was diagnosed with bone cancer in his jaw and went through chemo & radiation that almost killed him and he was left with one very dangerous choice with a low survival rate and that was to have his jaw, his tongue and other cancerous tissue removed. But Steven is a very stubborn man and even dying on the operating table, I don’t know how many times, he survived, jawless maybe but his sense of humour, his kindness and deep love of dogs remained intact.
The recovery from the surgery was long & painful but it was not long before another health crisis hit him, he was diagnosed with a very serious and life threatening heart condition and he had to have immediate triple bypass surgery. Once again beating the odds he survived and his doctors tell him he’s doing very well now.
Steve worked for the TTC and is now on long term disability and he walks dogs to make ends meet. But recently the axel in his beloved Jeep broke and he does not have the funds to pay for its repair and he relys on his vehicle for everything including dog pick up and drop offs. He also suffers from arthritis and various other health issues but it may slow him down but doesn’t stop him. Just recently I saw him walking two dogs past my place because he is unable to walk to High Park let alone with dogs in tow.
He needs our help , I have never met anyone more deserving of our help because he is the most wonderful man who struggles everyday to survive, he never complains and will literally give you the shirt off his back if you are in need.
Over the past 8 months he looked after my dog because my mother was diagnosed with cancer and I had to go to Hamilton to help her. So Steve took my Mazy (who loves him to death) for months because I couldn’t look after her and he told me “don’t worry, pay me what you can”.
A heart of gold is an understatement. I think most people who would have endured what he has endured it would have made them bitter and angry but not Steve that’s why he’s my hero, my inspiration and I am so proud to call him my friend.
Organizer
Denise Sandler
Organizer
Toronto, ON
