Help This Power Couple Fight For Their Lives

They cannot do this alone. Every donation and share makes a real difference.

**Please see the bottom of our story to find regular updates.

Who They Are

We at Spokane Word, along with community members who know and love Zach and Erin, are rallying behind them during this critical time. Zach and Erin are the kind of people who give everything they have to their family, their friends, and their neighborhood.

They have been together for 13 years, and have always called themselves a power couple because no matter what life threw at them, they faced it side by side.

Zach has given so much of himself to our neighborhood. He served for years on the Chief Garry Park Neighborhood Council, first as Treasurer and then as Vice Chair. During that time, he was honored with the Good Neighbor Award three years in a row because that’s who he is: a neighbor, a friend, an empath, and someone who shows up when people need him.

And Erin? She’s the glue of their home. The steady heartbeat who holds everything together with love, strength, and grace. She’s the kind of person who gives her best to everyone; Zach, her family, her friends, and even strangers.

But right now, they are facing something no couple should have to face alone.

What They’re Facing

Erin has been diagnosed with invasive metastatic carcinoma, lymphoma, and osteosarcoma (bone cancer). These are aggressive, advanced cancers that demand immediate and extensive treatment.

At the same time, Zach is battling severe fibromyalgia, which causes constant pain, memory loss, and anxiety. Even with all he’s carrying, he is doing everything he can to be strong for Erin, care for their two ESA dogs, and keep their home together while she fights for her life.

Treatment Plans

Originally, Erin was scheduled for treatment in Mexico this September. Unfortunately, due to timing, they had to give up their bed at the clinic. And now, with the stage her cancer has reached, even if a bed were offered in the next month, she would already be too far into chemotherapy for that option to work.

That means Erin must pursue treatment here in the United States. They are currently trying to keep treatment in Spokane, but it is more likely that Erin will need to go to Seattle for inpatient and specialized care. There’s also a chance they will have to travel out of state, depending on where they can access the right therapies quickly.

The challenge right now is that Erin’s current treatment center is lagging behind the urgency this aggressive cancer demands. Her PET scan confirmed bone cancer and they are moving forward with their updated treatment planning, Zach and Erin are actively seeking options that can expedite her care.

The reality is clear: treatment is beginning right now. It will be expensive. It will require travel, housing, and ongoing support. And it cannot wait.

The previous $60,000–$70,000 estimate applied only to Mexico. With treatment now shifting stateside, the exact costs are still being determined. Speaking with doctors and professionals this week, Erin and Zach are awaiting final scans and plans, but it is already clear that the cost will be rising substantially depending on the therapies and procedures required.

A Message From Zach and Erin

“We never thought we’d be in this position, asking for help to fight for Erin’s life. We’ve always done our best to stand strong together, to take care of one another, and to give back to our community whenever we could. But this time, we can’t do it alone.

Erin’s treatment is scheduled to begin this September, and it may be our best chance to slow or even stop these cancers. But the cost is beyond what we can carry. We’ve already spent our savings, and soon Erin will lose her paycheck as she goes on long-term disability. We are humbly asking for your help, whether that’s a donation, a share, or a prayer. Every bit means the world to us. Thank you for standing with us in this fight.”

Why They Need Help

Erin is their breadwinner. She will soon exhaust her paid leave, WA State PFML, and short-term disability. After that, she’ll be left with only 60% of her income through long-term disability. On top of this, she’ll be out of work for at least six months while she undergoes treatment and focuses on healing.

While Erin and her mother travel for treatment, Zach will be home doing his best to manage everything else; caring for their dogs, keeping their home together, and fighting through his own health struggles.

They’ve never asked for help before. But right now, they can’t do this alone.

How You Can Support

Every donation helps get Erin one step closer to the treatment she needs. Your support will:

If more is raised than what they need, Zach and Erin have promised to donate the rest back to the community, because giving back is who they are.

They are putting this in God’s hands, but we believe He works through people. Today, that means us.

Please donate if you can. Please share this campaign far and wide. Together, we can help Erin and Zach, this true power couple, fight for their lives.

What Funds Will Support

Because Erin’s treatment has shifted from Mexico to the United States, the final costs are still uncertain. Speaking with her oncologist and medical team, we know the expenses will be significant.

Here are the areas where donations will make an immediate impact:

At this time, we cannot give an exact total, but we are being guided by past treatment costs, medical advice, and the knowledge that this journey will be long and costly. What we do know is that every donation directly helps Erin access care and helps Zach hold their lives together during this fight.

**A Note From the Organizer

As the organizer of this campaign, I am in constant contact with Zach and Erin and will be posting updates regularly as their situation progresses. This includes new information from doctors, changes in treatment plans, and financial needs as they unfold.

We are committed to keeping this campaign transparent and authentic. While exact costs are still developing, what is certain is that Erin’s fight requires immediate support, and every gift goes directly toward her care and their household stability during this time.

MOST RECENT UPDATE: December 09, 2025

Erin and Zach's parallel medical crises have turned their lives upside down. This update is to share where things truly stand now as we approach the end of 2026, what the next stretch looks like, and why continued support matters.

Erin’s Lifelong Battle

Erin’s treatment plan has shifted from a short-term fight to what will most likely be lifelong medical care. Her cancer has moved into the bloodstream, which means she will need ongoing immunotherapy once she reaches remission. Her specialist has encouraged her to stay hopeful, noting that cancer treatment continues to evolve and new options may emerge in the next one to five years.

Right now, Erin’s chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy are all done on the same day, every three weeks. These are full-day treatment cycles. She recently had to take a week off because the side effects were severe, and her body needed time to recover from the harshness of the chemo. She is scheduled for her fourth full round this Thursday. She may need a fifth and sixth round, but that will depend on her PET scan, which will be done after the fourth cycle. Her recent CT scan looks promising, but the PET scan will determine the next phase.

If the cancer goes into remission, she will then shift to immunotherapy every three weeks. Those shorter infusions take about an hour, and she should be able to return to light work after those treatments, though that ultimately depends on how her body responds.

Treatment remains expensive, and the final bills have not been issued.

Thanks to this GoFundMe, Erin and Zach were able to pay for her radiation. Insurance has helped, but her deductibles are high and reset in January because her coverage follows the calendar year. Her long-term disability income is significantly lower than her normal pay, and they expect an even larger income drop as the new year begins.

Zach’s Health Crisis

At the same time, Zach is facing life-threatening heart problems that doctors have still not fully diagnosed. His condition may be uncurable and could shorten his lifespan. He recently came close to a heart attack. Because he has not yet been scheduled with the cardiologist, he has had to purchase his own monitoring equipment, which is costly but necessary for his safety. A cardiac monitor and a full diagnostic plan are still pending.

Zach must keep his blood pressure extremely low, check his heart rate constantly, and remain close to home. His daily life has become almost fully sedentary. Any stress or exertion can trigger another cardiac episode, which means he cannot be alone for extended periods and cannot travel far from home.

Some support has come through, and other possible funding sources are in progress, but nothing immediate is guaranteed.

Why Continued Support Matters

Both Erin and Zach are facing long-term medical uncertainty, high out-of-pocket costs, a deductible reset in January, and major reductions in income. Your generosity helped them get through radiation and early critical care costs. What comes next is ongoing, unpredictable, and financially heavy.

Every donation helps them manage treatment schedules, disability income cuts, and the medical limitations they now live with every day. Erin and Zach remain deeply grateful for every act of care, every dollar, and every message of support.

Update: September 09, 2025 - Radiation and Next Steps

Erin has officially begun her treatment plan. She will undergo 10 rounds of radiation, after which we’ll reassess and meet with her oncologist this Thursday to put a chemotherapy plan in place.

Things are moving forward, and while the road ahead is uncertain, we are grateful that treatment is underway.

We want to thank every single one of you who has donated, shared, prayed, or offered words of encouragement. Your support means the world to Zach and Erin and is helping carry them through this incredibly difficult time.

Every donation, no matter the size, makes a real difference and allows Erin to keep focusing on the fight ahead.

Thank you for standing with them.

Update: September 05, 2025

Today I spoke with Zach, and unfortunately, the worst-case scenario has been confirmed.

Erin’s PET scan results show cancer in her pubic bone and spine, with additional spots appearing in other bones. The full details will be reviewed with the radiologist soon. A follow-up with her oncologist is scheduled for next Friday, and they are hoping for an earlier appointment if possible. Things are moving quickly now.

A chemo port was installed today, and Erin will begin receiving the full treatment plan immediately. It is even more aggressive than her doctors originally anticipated. All care will remain in Spokane for now, which means she can begin treatment without delay.

This also means making difficult changes. Camping trips and other plans are being cancelled so Erin can remain close to treatment as everything intensifies.

Zach continues to fight his own health battles, including severe fibromyalgia and now a broken hand, while also waiting to see a rheumatologist. Doctors suspect it may be one of the more extreme forms that impacts cognitive function.

Right now, Zach and Erin are holding it together the best they can, facing each day as it comes. Treatment is beginning heavily now, and they need our love and support more than ever.

Please continue to keep them in your thoughts, prayers, and community care. Every donation, meal, ride, or kind word helps lift the weight they are carrying.

Update: September 02, 2025

I spoke with Zach this evening and wanted to share where things stand.

Right now, the treatment plan is still developing. Chemotherapy is already underway, and the report from this first stage will be submitted this Friday. Radiation is also happening, and surgery is most likely going to be part of the process to cut out the cancer.

Beyond that, much is still unknown. The doctors are evaluating Erin’s situation step by step, and new information will continue to come in as scans and reports are finalized.

What we do know is that Erin is in the fight of her life, and Zach is doing everything he can to support her. While the exact treatments and costs are still taking shape, the need for help remains urgent and real.

Thank you for continuing to stand with them — through your donations, prayers, and shares. Every bit of support makes a difference.