(BUFFALO, NEW YORK) – Cindy Marlow simply never fails to amaze.

Over the years, her efforts guiding the 50-Member United Steelworkers’ (USW) Women of Steel group here in Western New York has led to countless donation and fundraising campaigns that have helped those who are less fortunate - from distributing knitted scarves, hats and gloves on the predominately poor East Side of Buffalo to raising dollars to buy food and non-perishables for those in need.

And those collective efforts have not gone unrecognized.

Last year the United Way of Buffalo and Erie County presented the USW’s local Women of Steel Chapter with its Labor Champions Award, focusing a community spotlight on the great work this Union Women-run organization has done over the years.

Marlow, who was there to accept the award that day, later hung a picture frame that showed off the United Way award on the conference room wall of USW’s District 4 Headquarters on Sheridan Drive in Suburban Amherst (Marlow is pictured below in the middle wearing a red head garment with a cloth face-covering, standing with her Union Women of Steel Sisters/Photo Courtesy of Marlow’s Facebook Page).

But in the many photos of that event, Marlow could be seen wearing a cloth mask to ward away any germs that might be spread by those in the room with her.

While one might think it was because of the continuing fear of the COVID-19 virus, it wasn’t.

You see, Marlow was protecting herself in her personal battle with Peritoneal and Endometrial Cancer, now having had six radiation treatments at Buffalo’s Roswell Park Cancer Institute.

But it would appear that nothing will stop this ultimate Woman of Steel.

“If ‘you looked up caring and dedication in the dictionary, there would be Cindy’s picture,’” offered Jim Briggs, USW District 4 Sub-District Director who also serves as President of the Niagara-Orleans AFL-CIO Central Labor Council, during an interview with WNYLaborToday.com.  “She is an ‘amazing’ person and a ‘champion’ of the Labor Movement, ‘but right now, she’s in a fight, a fight with cancer, but she’s never quit helping people through her battle.’”

Melissa Mazzarella (Pictured Below, Standing Next To Marlow During This Year’s Women of Steel’s Scarf, Hat And Glove Donation/Photo Courtesy of Marlow’s Facebook Page) is a Trustee for USW Local 4-0277 who knows Marlow well.

Mazzarella, a 22-year Union Member who’s heavily involved in the USW’s Women of Steel group, says the friends she’s made and her involvement in the group has “changed my life.”

“(The Women of Steel) ‘makes you see that there is so much out there where one person can make a difference and it’s made my life better,’” said Mazzarella, who in September was recognized for her community involvement when she received the Joseph C. Weber III/Think Positive… Think United Way of Greater Niagara Award.

“I’ve known Cindy for eight years now and ‘she’s Union through and through.’  ‘She’s one of the kindest women I know - caring, thoughtful, always worrying about other people.’  I’ve watched what she’s done (over the years) ‘and it’s changed my life.’  ‘You just don’t realize how much Unions do (in the communities where their Members work, live and raise their families) out there.’”

Case in point, the Women of Steel’s annual donation of several hundred knitted scarves, hats and gloves that are hung from trees and fences on Buffalo’s East Side for those in need to take. (WNYLaborToday.com’s Editor’s Note: The USW’s ‘Women Of Steel’ Group Helps The Homeless & Less Fortunate This Holiday Season, Leaves 700 Donated & Knitted Scarves, Hats & Gloves Hanging From Trees & On Fences For Those In Need To Take At www.wnylabortoday.com/news/2018/12/22/buffalo-and-western-new-york-labor-news/the-usw-s-women-of-steel-group-helps-the-homeless-less-fortunate-this-holiday-season-leaves-700-donated-knitted-scarves-hats-gloves-hanging-from-trees-on-fences-for-those-in-need-to-take/)

“You see people ‘with the biggest smiles on their faces.’  ‘It broke me down,’” Mazzarella said.  “‘When you think to yourself (about what you’re seeing and involved in), it truly changes you.’  ‘You take things for granted and that it’s just a scarf, but people are so thankful.’  ‘You just hope this all makes a difference and you have no idea how much it does - just caring about someone.’”

Marlow, who’d previously conquered breast cancer before her current cancer battle, herself knows the worth in what she is doing to help others.

“There is ‘always someone worse off than you,’” Marlow (Pictured At Home During The Christmas Holidays Recovering From A Round Of Therapy/Photo Courtesy of Marlow’s Facebook Page), a huge fan of the Peanuts characters, told WNYLaborToday.com. 

“‘I’m not the only one’ hurting.  ‘Helping people has always kept me going - whatever you can do.’  ‘If it helps only one person - or more, hopefully it all makes a difference,’” she said.

A former President of Amalgamated USW Local 3609, she currently serves as President of the 10-Member Unit employed at Hale Northeastern Expo Services in Buffalo.

Marlow (Pictured Above Holding The Award/Photo Courtesy Of Marlow’s Facebook Page) said she was “shocked” when her Women of Steel was presented with the Buffalo United Way Labor Champions Award.

“It was ‘not’ expected.  It was a ‘pretty emotional’ day,” she said.

Asked if she feels she may be an inspiration to others, Marlow said: “I ‘always blush when someone says that.’  ‘Funny, I feel blessed.’  With the USW, I’m ‘viewed as a mentor, a facilitator.’  ‘It’s an awesome feeling to do this to do something good for someone.’  I’m a Steelworker ‘who tries to find the good in everyone.’  ‘I don’t do this stuff to get an award.’  ‘Good deeds should go unnoticed.’  ‘You do these kind of things to help.’”

WNYLaborToday.com Editor’s Note: For Even More On The USW’s Local Women Of Steel Group, Read: Spotlight On Union Community Action: The USW’s Women Of Steel Chapter Raises $3,000 For Cradle Beach & Gathers 40 Volunteers Who Worked Day-Long ‘Sprucing Up’ Landscaping & Flower Beds At The Special Needs Children’s Camp At www.wnylabortoday.com/news/2021/07/01/buffalo-and-western-new-york-labor-news/spotlight-on-union-community-action-the-usw-s-women-of-steel-chapter-raises-3-000-for-cradle-beach-gathers-40-volunteers-who-worked-day-long-sprucing-up-landscaping-flower-beds-at-the-special-needs-children-s-camp/

A Go Fund Me Page has been created by her USW Sisters to help Marlow with expenses associated with her cancer treatment.  The effort has already exceeded its goal.

That page can be accessed at https://www.gofundme.com/f/cindy-marlow?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=m_pd%20share-sheet&fbclid=IwAR2cd07qPFwMnZgwR-aALZbmQkVjbBs39U3C3TmbpUWAV850-39IZOQFN9U