Cindy Beacham is a retired Dare County Schools teacher who taught for 36 years. She taught students at both Kitty Hawk Elementary and Nags Head Elementary during her tenure.

She is so full of life, always has a smile or kind word for others, and is a wonderful mother to her two daughters Sarah and Jessie, who cherish her and are her best friends.  Those who knew her would also tell you she was such a wonderful educator. She made a huge difference in all the DCS students' lives she touched. She was currently still tutoring before her first surgery this past June 16 and relied on that supplemental income to meet her monthly monetary needs.  

Cindy first underwent surgery on June 16. It was a planned, routine Cervical Neck Fusion surgery. She came home on Wednesday evening and spent one night at home before being rushed back to the hospital on Thursday, June 19 due to complex swelling.

On Friday June 20th, she had emergency surgery (#2) to stabilize her due to swelling and complications (vitals were dropping).  From there, she went to Step Down to recover.  After the surgery, they still could not identify where the swelling was coming from or how to proceed.  They kept her in the hospital to monitor her and see if antibiotics would help.  

Her next surgery was on Monday, June 23rd (her third major surgery in 7 days) was to do the EVD (spinal drain for excess fluid). She was placed in the ICU following that operation.

Currently, as of July 1, she is still in ICU being monitored as we try to navigate next steps and procedures. She is stable but we don’t have all the answers we need.

Cindy will go home with a PICC line,, hopefully soon, and will need daily antibiotics for six weeks. She will be unable to work during this time.

Her daughter’s Sarah and Jessie are doing all they can but it’s just the two of them. Due to the surprise nature of the complications, the family has exhausted all savings and need the community's help. Sarah, who is also a DCS teacher, had to give up her full-time summer job to help care for Cindy, which has exhausted her finances/savings as well.  Jessie is dealing with her own health issues that prevents her from working. In short, the family needs the community’s help.

All donations will go toward medical expenses, travel expenses, food and other essentials.  Please consider donating as much as is comfortable for you - every little bit helps!  Thank you for your support of this amazing family that has touched so many lives in Dare County!

In appreciation,

Lisa Earley