Meagan's Way was honored today to present Amy with enough in fundraising and donations an amount that will cover her medication for the next two months. And our team's efforts are not over yet.  We look forward to helping Amy and her family in any way we can in the future. A big Thank You to everyone who participated in any one of the numerous ways to get us to this first goal line. 

​Amy's Story
In April 2023, doctors discovered a mass on Amy’s brain. She then had undergone a craniotomy for a biopsy of the tumor, which was inoperable. The tumor was discovered to be a stage 4 diffuse midline glioma, at which time it was determined she needed to undergo radiation and chemotherapy. Unfortunately, the surgery impaired Amy's vision to where she can no longer drive and is unable to work.
There is no cure for this terrible disease. Amy is now going through Germany to get the medication she needs. However, because she is ineligible for meds in the US, Amy must pay out of pocket for her medicine, which costs 5k a month.
Amy and her husband Andy have 2 beautiful children. Their daughter, Aileen, attends Saginaw Valley State University and their son, Aiden, is in 8th grade at Romeo Middle School. Amy is a teacher at Graebner Elementary where she taught for 20 years. She’s taught Kindergarten for several years and had her first group of 4th graders last school year!
If you ever had Amy as a teacher, co-worker, friend or even acquaintance you know what a bright light and big ball of energy she is. We are all wishing Amy the best in her recovery. Any little donation will help Amy and her ongoing fight against cancer.

After losing several members of her family to cancer, Nicole decided to get tested for the BRAC1 gene. This gene puts women at higher risk of being diagnosed with breast and ovarian cancer. The result was positive. So, in June 2018, at age 35 she decided, in order to prevent the same fate as her relatives, she would endure a double mastectomy and full hysterectomy.

Sadly, in June 2022, despite doing everything she thought was right she found out that she had stage 4 primary peritoneal cancer. She is unfortunately in the 1% of women who still contract this disease despite taking preemptive measures. Since then, she has undergone 9 rounds of chemotherapy, and multiple treatments and surgeries to combat the disease.

Prior to this diagnosis she had moved to the west side of the state, away from most of her family and support system. Her mother and co-workers have been there through her treatments. But she had been unable to work for some time, after using up the PTO she had with the school system, she was terminated. And being a single mom of two teenagers, her finances were draining.

Today, Nicole is on a maintenance drug, she may need chemo again in the future, but she is a warrior and finally getting back on her feet. She found a new position in community care and is focused on spending time with her children. She will continue with treatments and bravely fight through this journey.

Meagan’s Way Foundation will be by her side. The Foundation recently provided Nicole with financial assistance, legal aid, personal support and transportation if needed, along with a promise to be a source of support along the way.

Stay tuned for more details on an upcoming fundraiser in Nicole’s honor. 

Hello Betcher Family and Friends,
  I wanted to write you all today to thank you all for creating this foundation and spreading  Meagan's love and continuing her fight. I was fortunate enough to have cared for her many, many nights @ Troy Beaumont. We shared so many things about life, love, people, food, traveling and motherhood. Your fight was my fight many nights. We had tough conversations and tough love moments. I cried real tears with her and for her. I truly cared for her. She was more a friend to me than a patient. We had so much in common it was crazy. I think we shared the same wedding Anniversary or at least within a day. We talked about going to Mortons to celebrate it and I wanted so badly to wheel her out that night so we could celebrate together.
 I admired her courage and  fight on so many levels. I admire the love that Joe and Meagan shared for each other. Their journey is one that showed so many of us  including myself what it means to be truly  loved.  They showed us what it truly means to be brave, ferocious and fight for life.
Her angel wings were earned on my Birthday only further sewing her memory into my own memories. I will continue to provide extraordinary compassionate care as long as I can in her honor. I will tell my patients stories about a super human woman who defied odds and showed the world how to smile in the dark.
 
Sincerely
Dawn M Curtiss

Letter from Erin Barg, Beaumont Nurse Aide:
​Meagan Betcher was the definition of courage and strength. Despite what anybody would say
she knew what she was capable of and how much she could take. There’s a quote that reads,
“It’s not how hard you can hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward.
How much you can take and keep moving forward.” When I read that or hear it anywhere my
brain immediately thinks of Meagan. Her courage and strength to continuously fight day in and
day out was remarkable. Even when the odds seemed stacked against her. Her positive attitude
she brought to each treatment or each day she spent in the hospital was something so
admirable.
​
It was a crazy time being able to care for Meagan. In the best way. Being a Nurses aid on 5
west you see a lot of people. New faces everyday but there are some patients you just simply
can’t forget. Meagan arrived on the unit as just another patient of mine. I can truthfully say she
became one of my great friends. One of my biggest heartbreaks. Meagan wasn’t one to dwell
on the negative parts of her days on 5 west. My job there was to care for her and be there
when she needed reassurance, comfort or even just a hug. Meagan was always one to care for
others and sometimes it truly felt like she was caring for me. Her husband Joe would call her on
his way to the hospital to ask what she wanted for lunch or dinner. Everyday he would do that
and everyday I would walk in while she was on the phone with him and she immediately looked
at me and said “one second Joe, Erin’s here.. Erin what do you want from Taco Bell?” She knew
it was my favorite. I would politely decline in the beginning but I quickly realized Meagan wasn’t
the one you tell no to. She was simply the best.

One of the most genuine, kind hearted and loving people I have ever been so lucky to meet.
Someone I am so thankful to call my friend, and man.. Do I miss my friend..

Note from Carolyn, Head Nurse, Oncology, Royal Oak Beaumont
First let me say what a wonderful thing this is, although I can't believe it's a year. When I thought about all the wonderful things about Meagan, the first thing I remembered was how she did not want to tell the boys initially because she did not want them to worry, She always wanted to be there for everyone else. Even when she came in for chemo she always asked, "How are you guys doing?" It was never about her. She was just so easy to take care of, she brightened our day every time she came in.

Meagan sponsored Comic Relief Night, unfortunately she was unable to attend, but in spirit. The team dedicated the Sisters Act Out Comedy Show to Meagan. (Center photo, Brian Radyko Director and Joe Betcher)