Butler native Dan Manning, 52, has leukemia. This photograph was taken during his second round of chemotherapy, according to his youngest daughter, Leigh Fry.

Butler native Dan Manning, 52, knows his four children turned out well and that he lives in a special town.

But when he was blind-sided this summer by a leukemia diagnosis, the most shocking aspect of the ordeal was how his family, friends and strangers showed up to take away the everyday worries of life so he could concentrate on his grueling treatment.

A bowling fundraiser in October raised almost $7,000 for Manning, who has not had a paycheck since June because of his diagnosis.

Manning's wife is disabled and receives just $300 per month.

Manning's four grown children and their families are now organizing Swirling out Leukemia, a spaghetti dinner fundraiser to be held starting at 3 p.m. Nov. 17 at the South Butler Fire Hall on Old Plank Road.

Proceeds will go toward paying the Mannings' bills, food, medical procedures and fees, hospital parking and other expenses.

“It's just overwhelming, the people who come out and don't even know you,” Manning said Wednesday. “It's really humbling.”

The Class of 1985 Butler High School graduate said his hometown is an unusual place, where citizens attend endless fundraisers of all types to support people they might not even know.

“There are constant fundraisers everywhere, and every time I go to one, they're always packed,” Manning said. “The people of Butler, we stick together.”

Manning, who worked as a construction supervisor for Gaven Industries in Saxonburg before his diagnosis and subsequent treatment, said he went to the doctor for a urinary tract infection and his blood work results showed a dangerously low hemoglobin level.

He received two blood transfusions before a bone marrow biopsy revealed chronic myelomonocytic leukemia 2.

“It's harder on my family than it is on me,” Manning said. “It's hard to watch my family go through what I'm going through.”

But Manning received good news Wednesday.

“My bone marrow transplant is going to be on Dec. 13 at UPMC Shadyside,” he said. “After that, I just have to survive.”

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