Supporting Amanda Erwin During Her Breast Cancer Journey Many people in Beaver County know Amanda Erwin as a teacher, coach, volunteer, advocate, mentor, and friend. She has spent her life showing up for others. Now, she needs her community to show up for her. Amanda is a 2005 graduate of New Brighton High School and a beloved second-grade teacher at Hopewell Elementary. She is the organizer and coach of Hopewell Elementary’s Kids of Steel program, a 2025 youth cheerleading coach, a dedicated volunteer throughout the community, and an active supporter of local organizations that serve children and families facing medical challenges. Amanda proudly pinned multiple students during the Junior National Honor Society induction ceremony and was chosen by a Hopewell Senior as the teacher who made a difference in their life. She has been selected as a celebrity ice cream scooper for Bruster’s Ice Cream fundraisers and has volunteered her time with the Beaver County Cancer & Heart Association, speaking at events and sharing her own experiences to bring hope to others facing difficult diagnoses. For decades, Amanda has been the person helping others through their hardest days. Today, she is facing one of her own. Three weeks ago, after advocating for herself and pushing for non-routine imaging and biopsies, Amanda received devastating news. She was diagnosed with breast cancer—specifically invasive carcinoma with ductal involvement, triple negative, stage 2. Her tumor is classified as grade 3, meaning it consists of the most aggressive and fastest-growing cancer cells. Thankfully, imaging currently shows no lymph node or chest wall involvement. Amanda’s treatment plan is extensive and aggressive. It includes 2 high-dose chemotherapy treatments along with immunotherapy, a double mastectomy with reconstruction, and continued immunotherapy through June 2027. This diagnosis marks Amanda’s third battle with cancer by the age of 38. In her own words: “No one said life is fair, but a third cancer diagnosis by the age of 38? Unfair doesn’t even do that justice.” Amanda has already survived aggressive cancer twice before. She knows how to fight. But this battle comes at a different stage of life—as a wife, mother, teacher, coach, and community leader. One of the most heartbreaking parts of this journey is that Amanda will be unable to work for approximately one year. She will miss doing what she loves most—teaching—and she will miss experiencing her daughter Sloan’s second-grade year alongside her at Hopewell Elementary. Amanda and her husband, Colby, are committed to keeping life as normal as possible for Sloan while navigating treatment, surgeries, recovery, and the emotional challenges that come with cancer. Those who know Amanda understand that helping others has always been second nature to her. In December 2024, Amanda served as emcee for the 16th Annual Roxan’s Dream Fund and Angels R Us Christmas Luncheon, helping present Christmas wishes to children battling cancer and heart disease. The event held special meaning because Angels R Us was founded by her aunt after Amanda’s own childhood cancer diagnosis more than 22 years ago. Reflecting on that experience, Amanda shared: “It was a beautiful and humbling reminder to be thankful for my surgeries because those surgeries saved my life at one point.” Now, the same young girl whose cancer journey inspired a foundation that has helped countless families finds herself needing support once again. Amanda has been incredibly honest about what would help most during treatment. If she says, “I’m fine and I don’t need anything,” she admits she is probably not telling the truth. Practical support that will directly help her family through the next year includes. Financial Contributions Contributions will help offset: Treatments and therapies not covered by insurance Wigs and head coverings IV hydration treatments Vitamin infusions Medications and supportive care Transportation expenses Household expenses during her extended leave from work Gift Cards gift cards provide flexibility when treatment leaves her exhausted and unable to shop. Preferred gift cards include: Amanda- Target Walmart Amazon Instacart for groceries Costco Sam’s Giant eagle Marios in beaver Yama in beaver Aroma pizza in Clinton Vic’s oven Scoochs Tropical smoothie Panera Bread Starbucks Puzzles 500-1000 pieces Sloan Arts and crafts, coloring Squishies Outside stuff - chalk, pool toys, basketballs, wiffle balls, volleyballs, kickballs Dairy Queen, witch flavor, blackbird, windmill Mini golf Bowling Fun fore all Grandpa Joes Kretchmars Five below Cinemark Chick fil A Artsy Doodle Colby Enjoys playing golf lunch gift cards Dons deli Bridgewater market Beaver bagel Meal Assistance: The kindness behind home-cooked meals is great but restaurant and meal gift cards are ideal, allowing her family (especially Sloan who is a picky eater) to choose meals they want and will eat when they need them most. House Cleaning Services One of the most valuable gifts during treatment would be professional cleaning assistance. Support toward: Routine house cleaning Deep cleaning services would significantly ease the burden on Amanda and her family. Family Support Amanda’s family includes her husband Colby, daughter Sloan, and their three Cane Corsos. Amanda has asked friends and community members to continue supporting Sloan and helping her maintain as much normalcy as possible. She encourages parents to talk openly with their children so Sloan’s classmates understand what is happening and can continue being good friends during this difficult season. Looking Toward the Finish Line Despite everything she faces, Amanda already has her eyes fixed on the future. When Amanda was 15 and received a Make-A-Wish experience, she dreamed of going to Hawaii but ultimately chose something else. She has never made that trip. Now Amanda, Colby, and Sloan have made a promise: When treatment is complete and Amanda rings that bell, they are finally going to Hawaii. For someone who has spent her life serving students, coaching children, supporting families battling illness, volunteering throughout Beaver County, and lifting up others during their darkest moments, this is an opportunity for our community to return that kindness. Every gift card, donation, cleaning service, meal, message, prayer, and act of support helps lighten the burden and reminds Amanda, Colby, and Sloan that they are not fighting this battle alone. Together, we can help Amanda focus on what matters most right now—healing, family, and getting to that bell-ringing day.