Good day! I am Sue Topel-Samek and a dear friend of ours, Philip Minarik, has fallen on very hard times. His wife, Kathy, was our nanny for 16 years, helping to care for our three children. Kathy and Philip have become like family to us.

Philip is an electrician by trade and had been working for Highland Hospital. He is a diabetic, and early in 2025, one of his feet became so badly infected that it had to be amputated with part of his leg, to just below his knee. Philip is never one to give up, so he learned to walk on a prosthetic leg. He has endured 10 surgeries and was finally doing so well that he was supposed to go back to work, literally today, April 13, 2026. Last Friday, April 10th, everything went to hell in a handbasket. Philip's other foot has become so badly infected, was rushed to Highland in an ambulance, and transferred to Strong because, in addition to the infection, his heart and kidneys were showing strain that the doctors were worried about. To make a long story short, Philip was admitted to ICU at Strong, his other foot was amputated Saturday, and he will go into surgery tomorrow, Tuesday, to have his second leg amputated to just under that knee.

This is a nightmare for these two wonderful people. They have exhausted their savings fighting this battle for 15 months now, and it does not appear likely that Philip will be able to work again.

PLEASE CONSIDER A DONATION TO THIS GOFUNDME ACCOUNT. 100% of all donations will go to Philip and Kathy to assist with his rehabilitation and their support as they reorganize their lives for the next chapter.

THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR KIND CONSIDERATION!!!