Scott Radley: Mysterious donor — and generous Hamiltonians — help former star athlete pay for prosthetic leg

The woman on the other end of the phone had read the story of Junior Kwajah the other day. That was the one about the one-time star athlete from Hamilton whose life has taken a series of unfortunate turns recently.

First came the cancer, which he's still battling. Then the flesh-eating disease that cost him his leg at his hip. And now the need for an $80,000 prosthetic his family can't afford.

How much is left?" the caller asked of the GoFundMe account that had been created to pay for a state-of-the-art artificial leg - as well as a wheelchair and some alterations at home to eventually make it accessible.

About $8,500," I replied.

Her next words were beautiful.

I'll write you a cheque."

And with that, the $100,000 target was hit. Half from friends and those who knew about the account before last week and half from Spectator readers and others in the community who jumped on the opportunity to help.

More is likely coming, too. St. Jean de Brebeuf teacher Steve Alfano - who coached Junior in football years ago - says he's heard from people who want to send cheques directly. Plus, some teachers from the school and board staff are holding an online trivia night fundraiser next week. And the GoFundMe totals are still rising.

It's an amazing outpouring from the community. Then again, Hamilton does this with some regularity. The people in this city become aware of a need and jump on board.

It's amazing," says Junior's brother, Kwasi.

It really is. Hundreds of people have donated to this cause. More than 750 so far. Some gave $10. One gave $5,000. And you can find almost any amount in between.

But it's impossible not to circle back to this donor on the phone for a moment. I wish I could tell you her name. She won't let me. She insists on complete anonymity. A pat on the back is not what this was about, she says. She doesn't know Junior. Never met him. Never even heard his name until Saturday. But she wanted to help.

Here's the amazing thing. This isn't the first time.

Back in 2013, when a story about a local gymnast who'd been handed more challenges than really seems fair landed on the front page, this same woman quietly cut a cheque for $6,000 to cover the cost of an entire year of his training.

Same thing then. No name allowed. Couldn't even tell the athlete who benefitted so greatly from her generosity who she was. No details could be offered that might tip off who she was if he wanted to do some sleuthing, either. Nothing.

That gymnast is living in Calgary now. He happened to be online the other day and saw the piece about Junior.

When I read that, I instantly thought of that one person," Wolfe Gazer says. Sure enough, it's the same person."

He says that donation - and the others that came from the community - changed his life. It came at a tough time and allowed him to remain in gymnastics and stay out of trouble. Eventually it led him west where he was able to keep training, qualify for significant world competitions, eventually move into coaching and now volunteer at various charities in his free time while working toward being a police officer.

After getting help through most of his life, he's now able to help others. All because of that generosity from Hamiltonians back then. And particularly that one woman.

I think of her often even though I don't know who she is," he says.

Now this quiet mystery donor has stepped up again for another local person who needs help. To change another life.

Even before she reached out, Kwasi says his brother - who had a medical procedure done Tuesday and couldn't talk about this - was checking the GoFundMe page throughout the weekend. Watching it rise and rise and rise. Hardly believing what he was seeing.

He was so excited," Kwasi says. He said, I'm going to get my leg.'"

Well done, Hamilton.

Scott Radley is a Hamilton-based columnist at The Spectator. Reach him via email: sradley@thespec.com