09/21/2026
Local fundraiser for neighbor in need. We are raising funds for our cousin, Liane and Steve Legath and their family after a sudden and devastating medical crisis. Steve and Liane met in 1990 while working for Liane's grandfather's business at P&P Builder Supply in the Bronx. They have been together through it all! Faults & foibles for 35 years. They share 3 children (Lara, Lia, Stevie), 2 cats, and a bird! Lifelong Bx residents, "Skibo" has been extremely active in playing sports his whole life, and has 21 years as a NYS Court Officer. After never having been hospitalized for the first 55 years of his life, this past April, after 10 months of doctors and tests, Steve had a benign tumor resting on his sciatic nerve removed. He had just fully recovered from this surgery when he fell ill on July 7th. And so their nightmare began.
From misdiagnosis at urgent medical, 2 ER trips, and 4 different hospitals, he was finally admitted to the ICU on July 20th with sepsis, every organ in failure, cellulitis, and dialysis. No diagnosis for 2 weeks. Over 200 tests, scans, and bone and lymph biopsies weone. Finally, after weeks, he was diagnosed with tularemia, a bacterial infection. Very rare. Very deadly disease. Thankfully treated proactively with antibiotics and hemodialysis. 31 days later and 35 lbs lighter, Steve was finally stable enough to transfer to rehabilitation. By this point, he's not able to sit up, stand, or walk. He couldn't eat for 3 weeks, battling anemia and a slew of other health issues from this insane illness.
As of today, after another 9 days back in the hospital, he has returned to rehab where he's learning to walk again. Thank God. He and his wife have spoken to the Dept. of Health and the C.D.C. about his illness, as it is extremely rare, less than 200 cases annually in the U.S., and no one knows how this happened. It was swift, and he became violently and deathly ill with alarming speed. He has a difficult path ahead right now, and we're praying he makes a full recovery.
Liane had to completely abandon her job for the time being, caring for him in the hospital and rehab, to coordinate the multiple teams of doctors for the myriad of medical issues, and advocate for him through this entire thing. We miss him. We're praying he gets through it soon.
Anything donated is extremely helpful since they are out of work for months, still paying for their house, their bills, their kids. Liane and Steve have always been the best cousins to us all, and we cannot thank you enough for any support you can give them. We love you guys and are praying for you everyday! Fundraiser by Jennifer Mauro : Please help Liane and Steve (Skibo) through this crisis https://share.google/9HdJXkKst9YDXNhlx
