Staff photo by Fritz Busch Melvin Hoffman, left, of Sleepy Eye and his son Dustin, stand by some of their scrap metal. Besides working at New Ulm Steel & Recycling, Melvin and his son pick up scrap metal in south central Minnesota.

SLEEPY EYE — Metal scrap dealer Melvin Hoffman continues to work these days despite a serious health condition he was born with.

Hoffman works at New Ulm Steel & Recycling and recycles scrap metal with his son Dustin.

“I’m old school. I like to work. I’ve worked with broken legs. I’m a stubborn old German. When I can’t do it all, my boy (Dustin) helps,” said Mel.

“About a year ago, I got this cough and couldn’t get rid of it. The doctor said I didn’t have a cold. A heart test showed my aortic heart valve only had two flaps instead of three. It’s been that way all my life,” said Hoffman.

Multiple medical tests later showed he has a heart condition known as bicuspid aortic valve, a congenital heart defect since birth, that he was not aware he had. His aortic heart valve had two flaps instead of three, that normal hearts have. The flaps, called cusps, ensure blood flows properly.

Hoffman was referred to Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis where open heart surgery will include placing a sleeve and replacing the heart valve.

Since his diagnosis, Hoffman has made multiple trips to doctor appointments, he’s taken time off work and medical bills are increasing.

Dustin Hoffman said the doctor told Mel not to lift more than 25 pounds of weight or the heart valve could pop and it could be fatal.

The Sleepy Eye Knights of Columbus and First Security Agency of Sleepy Eye are sponsoring a benefit pancake breakfast for the Hoffman family, 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Sunday, March 30 at the Sleepy Eye St. Mary’s Social Room.

A free will offering will be available. Donations can be made on the Sleepy Eye St. Mary’s website and at Americana Community Bank and First Security Bank, Sleepy Eye; and SouthPoint Financial Credit Union, Sleepy Eye, New Ulm and Springfield. Checks can be made payable to Knights of Columbus.