For years, Steve Ludzik has been raising awareness and funds to find a cure for Parkinson’s disease.

It’s also a personal battle he has been waging since 2000, when he first revealed he had the illness.

Parkinson’s is a shortage of dopamine that results in a patient experiencing tremors, as well as changes in speech and difficulty performing day-to-day activities. Muscles may become stiffer and movement may slow down significantly.

This year the former NHL player and coach donated $60,000 to the Parkinson’s rehabilitation centre at Hotel Dieu Shaver — named in his honour — through the Steve Ludzik Foundation. Through a number of initiatives, including his annual celebrity roast, the foundation has raised $756,000 for the centre since 2012.

But all the while, Ludzik — affectionately referred to by his friends as “Ludzy” — has been waging another battle, one that could cost him his life.

“All things considered, he’s doing OK,” his wife MaryAnn said Thursday, a day after posting her husband’s condition on social media.

She disclosed Steve has Stage 4 cirrhosis of the liver brought about by primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), a liver disease for which the bile ducts progressively decrease in size due to inflammation and scarring.

“He’s a fighter. He’s having difficulty with the fact he can’t do this for himself. He has to rely on someone else.”

The family was notified recently that Ludzik has been placed on a donor waiting list and so an appeal to the community has been made.

Neither of Ludzik’s sons are a match. Potential donors must be O blood type and in good health, his wife said.

“There has been an amazing outpouring of support.”

Niagara Falls Mayor Jim Diodati has been friends with Ludzik for a number of years.

“I knew there were some issues,” Diodati said. “He’s been doing battle with his health for a long time.”

The mayor praised Ludzik for all he has done for the community.

“He’s been giving, giving, giving to the community,” Diodati said. “I’ve got to say, Steve needs some help now. I hope there is a donor out there.”

Ludzik, who returned to Niagara after his professional hockey career ended in 1993, came to the city as a 16-year-old to play junior hockey. His NHL career took him through Chicago, where he spent most of his pro career with the Chicago Blackhawks and had a brief stint with the Buffalo Sabres. He was head coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning for two seasons from 1999 to 2001.

He was added to the Niagara Falls Sports Wall of Fame in 2017.

For information on how to become a live donor go to UHNtransplant.ca or call 416-340-4800 ext. 6581.