Valley aids Finleyville man with cancer fight

By TAYLOR BROWN

tbrown@yourmvi.com

The Mon Valley has stepped up in more ways than one to help a Finleyville family.

Jeff Lewis was diagnosed with esophageal cancer at the beginning of this year. 

After receiving chemotherapy and surgery to remove part of his esophagus and reconnect it to his stomach, Jeff rang a bell several weeks ago and was declared cancer free. 

Not long after he was told the cancer was gone, he started to not feel well and went back to his doctor.

More tests revealed that the cancer had returned, this time in his liver, bones and left lung.

Since his original diagnosis, the Mon Valley has rallied around the Lewis family, offering them monetary support, cooking meals and helping them with home renovations they were in the middle of when he was diagnosed. 

Longtime family friend Pete Mansmann said when residents found out about his latest diagnosis, they moved right away to help.

Mansmann, who has known Lewis since middle school, started a GoFundMe campaign that has raised more than $5,000. 

On Saturday, Cub Scout Pack 1542, based out of Mingo Presbyterian Church, gathered in the Finleyville Volunteer Fire Department parking lot to pick up their Christmas presents after their party had to be canceled because of COVID-19 concerns. 

Leaders and pack members decided to turn the event into a fundraiser for the Lewis family and sold kettle corn, hot dogs and other refreshments.

“Since the beginning, this has been a great community effort,” Mansmann said. “The Lewis family has been heavily involved in a lot of community groups. They are good, solid people.”

Prior to his diagnoses, Jeff was involved with Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Ringgold Area Youth Soccer Association and the Ringgold PTA.  

Saturday’s event raised $4,300, which Mansmann dropped off to the family over the weekend. 

The money, Mansmann said, will help Jeff, his wife, Tricia and their three boys, Joey, Bryce and AJ have a good Christmas and make sure their utilities and other expenses are taken care of heading into the new year.

“For his family, this has had a huge impact on them directly,” Mansmann said. “Jeff has been off of work since he went for his first surgery. While his wife continues to work, it’s been difficult with virtual learning for the kids and aggressive treatment for him to fight this.”

To read the rest of the story, please see a copy of Tuesday’s Mon Valley Independent, call 724-314-0035 to subscribe or subscribe to our online edition at http://monvalleyindependent.com.