Beth's Healing Journey

We are grateful to all of you who are part of Beth's healing journey!

All of you who know our sister Beth -- or who have heard us talk about her -- know that she is loving, creative, a gifted writer and teacher, and full of faith in God and His loving care. Beth and her husband Dana have been ministering to children and youth in Ambridge, Pennsylvania, for nearly two decades.

Beth was diagnosed with late-stage, aggressive cancer of the bladder in February of 2016, just a few weeks before her 48th birthday. By the time of Beth’s diagnosis, the cancer had already spread to a nearby bone. She has gone through surgery, radiation, four rounds of aggressive chemotherapy and has been hospitalized several times. She is now receiving regular immunotherapy at Hillman Cancer Center in Pittsburgh, where her brilliant and caring doctors are applying cutting-edge research to help her. She is also receiving much loving care from nurses and physical therapists.  

Beth often experiences pain and exhaustion. At the same time, she continues to spread joy and love to all around her and stays connected with family, her church community, her Ambridge community, and her dear friends (near and far) as she is able.

Beth, her husband Dana, and their 14-year-old daughter Sarah have been overwhelmed by the loving prayers and amazing support of family and friends, locally and around the U.S. and the world. Particularly, they want to take this opportunity to express their unending gratitude for the love, generosity, and sacrificial giving --  in time, money, and care -- of their local church, seminary, and work communities. Our gratitude for all of you knows no bounds. 

With the effects of Beth's illness, they have lost a significant amount of their income this year. Beth has had to give up most of her writing and teaching contracts -- work she loves to do. She continues to homeschool Sarah. Dana continues to work at Society of Anglican Missionaries and Senders (SAMS), his supportive and flexible employer. As he cares so well for Beth, accompanying her to medical appointments and being there for her, he is also taking on a larger role in parenting and schooling Sarah, which means he cannot take on additional jobs. Beth and Dana have also had to discontinue the children's ministry for which they had been raising financial support. Additionally, their apartment building was sold in recent weeks and they will have to leave the affordable, large space that has been their home for 19 years, and move just before Thanksgiving. Even with health insurance, for which they are grateful, uncovered medical expenses are mounting. 

While Beth's father, siblings, and extended family have been doing whatever we can to help and to be there for her, we, along with their loving local community, cannot create the financial security that would be so welcome for them at this time.  

That is why we, Beth's siblings -- Martha, Mary, and George -- are setting up this Go Fund Me campaign. We want to help them meet their expenses and provide space for Beth to focus her time and energy on what she calls her "healing journey."

Thank you from the depths of our hearts for being there for Beth and her family during this time of great need. Beth asks that you continue to keep her, Dana and Sarah in your prayers, regardless of whether you are able to contribute financial support.

One of the many verses that has become precious to Beth in these recent months is Isaiah 41:10... "fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you. I will help you. I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." 

 We are so grateful for our dear sister Beth, for her family and for all of you, our loving extended family and friends. 


Beth completing her tough chemo, weak but smiling!   

Enjoying a beautiful summer day, picking berries.  

One of Beth's works of prayer art in 2016.