Duane E. Vanlanham, 59, of Saginaw, Mich., died Friday, June 14, 2019.
Vanlanham was awarded the Carnegie Medal in 2010 for rescuing a woman from attacking dogs. He immediately ran to the woman and worked to free her. A car stopped at the scene, and the woman entered it to get away.
Vanlanham then attempted to escape to the hood of the car, but the dogs pulled him from it, took him to the ground, and mauled him, inflicting severe injury to his legs and feet. Vanlanham developed complications that required amputation of several fingers and toes.
In September 2018, Vanlanham was diagnosed with Stage 4 throat cancer. He was always fun and energetic. He loved to hang out with family and play dominoes. Most of all, he was very proud to be considered a hero.
The family has set up a GoFundMe account called “Burial For Saginaw Hometown Hero” to help with funeral expenses.
He is survived by children, Leslie Banks and Duane Vanlanham, Jr.; sister, Debra Baston; brothers, Walter Cureton and Fredrick Crow; four grandchildren; and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews.