“Doormen see it all — the milestones, the heartbreaks, the quiet moments in between — and they keep watch through it all.”

It felt like fate when I ran into my former doorman, Manny, on the subway just a few months after I’d moved out of the building. I wish the circumstances had been different. Manny shared that he had been diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma, which has since metastasized to his brain.

Despite the pain and challenges, Manny tried to keep working — not only because he loved his job and the residents he cared for over the years, but because he needed to support himself. After more than 15 years of service as a doorman, at the age of just 53, Manny has now had to officially take a leave from work due to his condition.

Manny believes his cancer was caused by years of smoking cigarettes, and he wants to use his story to spread awareness — especially to future generations — that health is wealth and that every choice has consequences. His hope is that by sharing his journey, others may be inspired to prioritize their health and avoid the struggles he now faces.

Anyone who’s had a great doorman knows — they are more than the person who opens the door. They are the quiet guardians of our lives, there through every season, every storm, and every story. Manny has been that person for so many, and now, he needs us.

We are raising funds to help cover his medical treatments, bills, and living expenses during this incredibly difficult time while he is going through chemotherapy. Any donation — big or small — will make a difference in supporting Manny as he focuses on his health.

Let’s come together for someone who has spent his life showing up for others.