BURLINGTON, Ont. – – Last Monday, Nathan Diek, a technician at Sheehan’s Truck Center, the local Volvo truck dealer here, called in sick.

Said he wasn’t feeling well.

Diek, 32, father of two and resident of St. Ann, Ont., showed up at Sheehan’s Tuesday but headed home early. Wednesday he was a no-show.

Thursday, his wife (a nurse) Aileen called to tell his colleagues that Diek had been diagnosed with nectrotizing fasciitis (flesh-eating disease) and that he had to have his left leg amputated above the knee. And that he almost died on the operating table.

His heart had stopped the night before and they had to revive him to keep him alive. They were removing affected tissue and trying to stabilize him. Later that same day his kidneys shut down and he was in surgery again.

They placed him in an induced coma.

His life will never be the same.

That night, at the monthly meeting of the Kitchener Waterloo Automotive Transportation Service Superintendents (ATSSA), Sheehan’s Service Manager Marc Poland passed the hat and raised $800 just like that.

And he’s only getting started.

Poland says Diek will never be able to return to work in the same capacity as before and the family will need moral and financial support.

"This disease has been a huge burden on this small family and although they have support from their families and their church.

"I would like to request donations from any/all industry people who are willing. Its difficult to comprehend something as terrible as this."

You can find out more by clicking on Aileen’s blog www.prayingfornathand.blogspot.com or you email Poland at marcp@sheehanstruck.com.

He’s currently working on opening an account in Diek’s name but in the meantime offered his own email address (marcpoland@bell.blackberry.net) for anyone wishing to help out.

His office phone number is (905) 632-0300.

"Nathan is part of Sheehan’s family and has worked here for six years," Poland says.

"In his spare time he repairs vehicles for people and helps out those who are not able to afford to take their cars to a retail shop.

"He is just one of those all-around good guys."