UPPER GWYNEDD — Family members, friends and neighbors in a community just off Morris Road are rallying around one of their own, helping to renovate a home in need of attention.
Steve Wagner, of Lansdale, was diagnosed with leukemia in November 2022. His sister, Dawn King, said the otherwise healthy 60-year-old father of two “was just going in for a regular routine follow up appointment” when he received the news .
King, 50, of Fort Washington, recalled his tight knit family instantly being there for Steve.
“I think we’ve done exactly what he’s wanted us to do. We’ve all kind of jumped in and we’re helping fight his battle together,” she said.
She spoke fondly of the older brother she’s looked up to. Wagner spent four decades working in Thomas Jefferson University Hospital’s maintenance department in Philadelphia.
“We always say he’s like Superman. He’s got a super heart, always there to protect people,” King said. “He’s very easy going and just always thinks about the positive.”
While Steve has been in and out of the hospital receiving chemotherapy treatments, his family has been working hard to renovate the house and make it a good place for him to recuperate.
“He’s a very quiet guy,” said Steve’s son, Joe, 35, of East Norriton. “He kind of doesn’t ask for help or anything like that. I think it is going to be a little surprising for him. A good surprise. I think it’s going to be an eye opener for him a little bit.”
Joe’s sister, Jessica, 27, of Lansdale, agreed.
“I think he’s going to be thrilled,” she said.
Growingproject
Family members began tackling smaller projects after learning of his diagnosis, but the major renovations began in January, King said. The family’s spouses, siblings and children have spent their weekends working at the home.
Many family members were self-proclaimed amateur do-it-yourselfers, and often consulted YouTube videos for guidance.
“I’m the least handy person probably that’s ever walked the face of the planet. So getting in here, and just doing these things, was kind of not my wheelhouse,” Joe said. “But we’ve plugged through and have gotten pretty far.”
King chuckled as he remembered thinking “it was just going to be a couple weekends.” However, unexpected findings of leaks and other issues lead to a larger undertaking than was initially expected.
“It was … one thing led to the other as we were taking down drywall to fix what we thought was going to be something minor, and it kind of turned into something more major,” King said.
Neighbors join in
Steve’s neighbors, Linda and Carl Smith, learned of the ongoing residential renovation when they saw dumpsters situated outside the house.
“We just felt we needed to help the family. We’ve lived next to them probably for 25 years,” Linda said.
The Wagners were touched by the Smiths’ sentiments.
“Linda popped over one day because she noticed Steve hadn’t been there, and she’d seen the activity with us all there, so she was checking to see what had happened, and as soon as we told them, they jumped right in to see how they could support and help,” King said, adding “Carl, when he came over, he took one look and said ‘I’ll take care of that. I’ll fix that.’”
The Smiths own Touchstone Design + Build, a Lansdale-based construction company, and they help provide assistance with structural issues in the Wagner home. Linda added that Carl contacted Lowe’s Home Improvement, on Forty Foot Road, in Hatfield, to see if they could provide materials to help the cause.
As a result, a truck pulled up in the driveway on Thursday afternoon with about $2,500 worth of drywall, flooring, wood, and other bathroom items.
Lowe’s lends a hand
When Lowe’s Pro Specialist Alex Sandra Serrano learned of Steve’s story, she and Assistant Manager Ken Kovacs wanted to help out.
“We wanted to get him home,” Serrano said, “so he can heal, be around family.”
King and her other family members were overcome with emotion when they learned from the contribution.
“It is a true godsend that this stuff is coming from Lowe’s,” King said. “We have a minimum of resources between all of us to be able to do this, and the fact that these are the pieces that we need to finish up this project … there’s no words to describe it.”
People in the larger “Sugar Valley” community also wanted to do their part. There are around 350 homes in the development, according to Linda, who said a meal sign up sheet and proposal for a “community work day” has generated positive interest among members of the area’s Facebook group.
“It’s a really special neighborhood, and they are showing they want to (help) this family,” Linda said.
“I think it’s what Steve would do for other people, and it’s nice to see that he gets that in return,” King said. “It just goes to show you who his neighbors are, and what type of people they are. They live in a very strong community.”
Steve, his wife, Carol, and children Jessica and Joe were touched by the show of support.
“I knew they were all great people, but I didn’t think they’d stick their necks out as much as they have. They’ve done a lot,” Jessica said.
Joe agreed.
“When it comes to cancer, it’s not me vs. cancer, it’s us vs. Cancer. Everybody’s on the same team when it comes to that. (It’s) definitely real nice to see everyone come in and help,” he said. “Just everything. It’s really been huge.”
Online fundraising
An online fundraising campaign was launched earlier this week to aid with medical and home-related expenses. There’s been $3,505 raised, of a $10,000 goal, on behalf of “The Wagners and Friends,” according to the “Get Steve Home and Beat Leukemia” GoFundMe page that garnered 33 contributors so far.
Five months into Steve’s cancer journey and his family marveled at how he maintained such a positive outlook.
“I’ve been amazed by his strength and ability to be able to manage for somebody who’s undergoing chemotherapy, he’s remained in high spirits, and managed symptoms very well,” King said.
“Mentally he wants to get through it, and physically he’s holding up,” Joe said. “Little hiccups here and there, but I definitely think a year from now we’ll be in a much different place, a better place.”
Steve is currently living with Joe in East Norriton, and previously spent time at his sister’s Ambler home while the renovations continued, so he was not present during Thursday’s materials delivery.
Family members say he knows something is happening at his home, but not to the extent of what they hope will be a total transformation.
“We tried to show him some pictures along the way, but really I think it’s going to be a complete shock to him when he comes home,” King said.
Joe anticipates the end of the summer as a “realistic” finishing date for the reveal.
“I hope that what we’re able to do for him is what he’s been able to do for us our whole lives,” King said. “Be able to give him something special to be able to cherish and enjoy.”