FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WPTA) – “Summit City Santa,” played by Fort Wayne’s Gary Coffelt, discovered he had lung cancer during an emergency hospital visit that changed everything.
“I had an episode where I couldn’t breathe, took an ambulance to Lutheran, and they took a CAT scan, and discovered that I had two cancers in my lung,” Coffelt said.
The diagnosis forced Coffelt to hang up his red suit after serving 55 Christmases as a Christmas entertainer. Doctors diagnosed him with Stage 2 lung cancer, and he cancelled all holiday bookings to undergo treatment.
Financial impact prompts community support
The cancellations cost Coffelt significant income-loss during his busiest season…