Amanda MacDonald
On August 12, 2007, our dear, dear Amanda peacefully passed away. On Wednesday evening she suffered two seizures and from then on her health deteriorated. She no longer has to fight a merciless disease. We can have comfort in knowing that as Amanda made choices, even in her youth, she was keeping eternity in mind. Even from a natural perspective Amanda lived a very full and successful 30.5 years. We will miss her very, very much but, to each of those her life touched she gave us something that will carry on. Feel free to continue posting on the guestbook. Steve, family, & friends appreciate & are encouraged by the messages. There is a beautiful article that was published on Saturday in the Woolwich Observer at the following link Where There's Life, There's Hope
Visitations & Funeral Arrangements are as follows:
Visitations: Westview Funeral Home - 709 Wonderland Road North, London, ON N6H 4L1 519-641-1793
Tuesday August 14th: 3-5PM & 7-9 PM
Funeral : Oakridge Secondary School- 1040 Oxford St W, London, Ontario N6H 1V4
Wednesday August 15th: 11 AM
Luncheon to follow (at school)
Those wishing to make a donation in memory of Amanda can do so to Wellspring Cancer Support Centers . Donations from the recent pledge drive exceeding Steve's need will also be donated to Wellspring.
If anyone has photo memories they would like to share feel free to email them to me with a brief description.(click on "Email Administrator" link in "Links" section) Thanks for everyone who has already sent in photos!
08-12: All of Amanda & Steve's family have arrived to support Amanda & Steve. Continue to keep them in your thoughts and prayers.
Update 08-10: Amanda continues to be in the hospital. Steve and Amanda's Mom have been there to support Amanda and Steve's Mom arrived today to help out. With this latest setback it does show that Amanda's health does not permit her to go to Mexico now. I know going to MX was something she wanted and believed in but, I know she also trusted that God would guide her in His plans for her and she will be at peace with that decision. Since the pledge drive was to help Amanda & Steve for going to Mexico I am going to take it down for now and we can work out the details later. Thank you for everyone who did support Amanda in her efforts. The website will be active and we can encourage Steve & Amanda by signing the guestbook. I am sure everyone will keep Amanda & Steve in their thoughts and prayers. ~ SRW
Although we took the pledge drive down, here is the original story we posted.
Everyone has a cancer story. Cancer touches so many people. Here is Amanda's story: Amanda MacDonald is 30 years old. She has a rare cancer, Alveolar Soft Parts Sarcoma ... but, it doesn't have her. Since ASPS is chemotherapy and radiation resistant, Amanda's treatment options are now beyond the scope of what public health care and medical insurance can provide. Amanda is currently looking into alternative health options in Canada as well as at a hospital in Mexico called Issels Cancer Treatment Centre.
Amanda is more than ASPS. She is a loving and amazing wife, daughter, sister, friend, etc. She is the one who forgets about herself and wants to help others in their need. She is the one you will receive a care package from ... "just because". She is smart and talented and has a passion for the arts. Amanda fell in love with theatre as an active member of The Elmira Youth Players. While pursuing degrees in Vocal Music, English, and Education at The University of Western Ontario, she accumulated musical and artistic direction credits with children’s theatre companies such as KidsPlay (Ingersoll), CAST (Woodstock), and Original Kids (London) and taught at The Victoria Academy of Music. While able, she had a private studio of voice, violin, and music theory students in London, Ontario. Following graduation and pre-diagnosis of ASPS she was a teacher at Woodstock Collegiate Institute teaching courses in Music Theatre, Dance, French, English, and Careers. At this school she founded the "Red Players" and threw a lot of her time and energy in directing the following highschool productions: Anne of Green Gables, The Sound of Music, Oliver, How to Eat Like a Child, and In Love with Broadway.
Along with Amanda comes her wonderful and supportive husband Steve who has been by her side every step of the way. Steve and Amanda met while both of them were going to UWO. Steve graduated from the Engineering program in April '06. Steve's employer, Ameresco Canada, has been tremendously supportive of Steve being by Amanda's side.
Amanda's friends and family thank you for reading Amanda's story and hope that you have been touched by it.
Thanks! Sandra Wood
Visitations & Funeral Arrangements are as follows:
Visitations: Westview Funeral Home - 709 Wonderland Road North, London, ON N6H 4L1 519-641-1793
Tuesday August 14th: 3-5PM & 7-9 PM
Funeral : Oakridge Secondary School- 1040 Oxford St W, London, Ontario N6H 1V4
Wednesday August 15th: 11 AM
Luncheon to follow (at school)
Those wishing to make a donation in memory of Amanda can do so to Wellspring Cancer Support Centers . Donations from the recent pledge drive exceeding Steve's need will also be donated to Wellspring.
If anyone has photo memories they would like to share feel free to email them to me with a brief description.(click on "Email Administrator" link in "Links" section) Thanks for everyone who has already sent in photos!
08-12: All of Amanda & Steve's family have arrived to support Amanda & Steve. Continue to keep them in your thoughts and prayers.
Update 08-10: Amanda continues to be in the hospital. Steve and Amanda's Mom have been there to support Amanda and Steve's Mom arrived today to help out. With this latest setback it does show that Amanda's health does not permit her to go to Mexico now. I know going to MX was something she wanted and believed in but, I know she also trusted that God would guide her in His plans for her and she will be at peace with that decision. Since the pledge drive was to help Amanda & Steve for going to Mexico I am going to take it down for now and we can work out the details later. Thank you for everyone who did support Amanda in her efforts. The website will be active and we can encourage Steve & Amanda by signing the guestbook. I am sure everyone will keep Amanda & Steve in their thoughts and prayers. ~ SRW
Although we took the pledge drive down, here is the original story we posted.
Everyone has a cancer story. Cancer touches so many people. Here is Amanda's story: Amanda MacDonald is 30 years old. She has a rare cancer, Alveolar Soft Parts Sarcoma ... but, it doesn't have her. Since ASPS is chemotherapy and radiation resistant, Amanda's treatment options are now beyond the scope of what public health care and medical insurance can provide. Amanda is currently looking into alternative health options in Canada as well as at a hospital in Mexico called Issels Cancer Treatment Centre.
Amanda is more than ASPS. She is a loving and amazing wife, daughter, sister, friend, etc. She is the one who forgets about herself and wants to help others in their need. She is the one you will receive a care package from ... "just because". She is smart and talented and has a passion for the arts. Amanda fell in love with theatre as an active member of The Elmira Youth Players. While pursuing degrees in Vocal Music, English, and Education at The University of Western Ontario, she accumulated musical and artistic direction credits with children’s theatre companies such as KidsPlay (Ingersoll), CAST (Woodstock), and Original Kids (London) and taught at The Victoria Academy of Music. While able, she had a private studio of voice, violin, and music theory students in London, Ontario. Following graduation and pre-diagnosis of ASPS she was a teacher at Woodstock Collegiate Institute teaching courses in Music Theatre, Dance, French, English, and Careers. At this school she founded the "Red Players" and threw a lot of her time and energy in directing the following highschool productions: Anne of Green Gables, The Sound of Music, Oliver, How to Eat Like a Child, and In Love with Broadway.
Along with Amanda comes her wonderful and supportive husband Steve who has been by her side every step of the way. Steve and Amanda met while both of them were going to UWO. Steve graduated from the Engineering program in April '06. Steve's employer, Ameresco Canada, has been tremendously supportive of Steve being by Amanda's side.
Amanda's friends and family thank you for reading Amanda's story and hope that you have been touched by it.
Thanks! Sandra Wood