Dear friends,

We are setting up this fundraiser on behalf of my brother-in-law, Buddy (Donald) Manning (42), who has recently faced an unimaginable and life-altering medical crisis. Just one week ago, Buddy underwent an emergency amputation of his left leg below the knee. This week, he had endured a second surgery resulting in the partial amputation of his foot. Buddy has battled severe diabetes since childhood, experiencing dangerous fluctuations in blood glucose levels, insulin resistance requiring a pump, frequent hospitalizations, and even multiple diabetic comas. Now, he is facing profound physical, emotional, and psychological toll of limb loss, along with a long and uncertain road to recovery. The challenges ahead include extensive rehabilitation, ongoing medical care, and significant financial strain. Even basic mobility will be difficult, as Buddy is dealing with a shoulder injury that limits his ability to lift and support himself. In addition to his own health crisis, Buddy has a special needs child. Despite living at home with his own father, the reality of Buddy needing full time care himself, and full time help for his son, adds another layer of hardship on the family during an already overwhelming time. As a landscaper, Buddy’s work physically demanding, and he is now unable to return to his job. This sudden loss of income, combined with mounting medical bills and everyday living expenses, has placed an enormous burden on the family. Buddy has already shown incredible strength and courage in these first few weeks. We are reaching out to anyone who may be able to help make a difference in the lives of this family, all of whom are deeply impacted by this tragic situation. Thank you for taking the time to read Buddy’s story and for the care and support you’ve already shown. Your words, prayers, and encouragement have lifted him up more than we express. We are asking for your support to help ease this financial strain and allow Buddy to focus on healing, rehabilitation, and adjusting to this new chapter of life. Any contribution, no matter the size, is deeply appreciated. Thank you for your kindness, generosity, and support during this incredibly difficult time.