Surfers Plea to HELP AMBER BEAT CANCER

Amber Spurrell, described as the reigning Queen of Stoke and Kindness, was recently diagnosed with Stage 2 cancer, grade 3 tumour, only days before her 42nd birthday.  Amber suddenly underwent a double mastectomy, removing the tumour and 21 lymph nodes, and is starting the journey to undergo chemotherapy on September 2nd. All through these difficult times, Amber has remained the positive, funny and kind human everyone around her has grown to love!

 

 

 

 

After the emotional toll of an exhausting double mastectomy, Amber’s journey into months of chemotherapy is beginning with the stressful realization of the financial burden associated with not being able to work while in treatment and recovery. Besides the obvious financial obligations we all hold, Amber is responsible for extremely expensive medications and holistic alternatives that are not covered by drug plans. Most recently, Amber’s health plan didn’t cover one of her drugs costing about $12,000.00 and as a result her treatment was significantly altered resulting in 7 times more needles per day.

 

Unfortunately during the time Amber will have to take off work for chemotherapy, only 55% of her salary is covered - not nearly enough to meet her financial obligations and the costs associated with her therapy and recovery.

 

 

 

 

To support Amber during this time, we ask for your help. This GoFundMe page has been created for Amber by a group of Nova Scotia female surfers who have been touched by Amber’s positivity, courageousness and unparalleled lust for life in and out of the water. Through this campaign, we hope to reach as many people as possible to help raise funds, so that Amber can focus on treatment and well-being during this unbelievably difficult time.

 

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ABOUT AMBER

 

For those of you who may not know, Amber brings an incredible energy and love of life to all that she does. As an avid outdoor enthusiast, Amber is a talented surfer, stand up paddle boarder, former rugby player, kayaker, and all round ocean lover. Amber is always thinking of others, and, now, it is time for others to support her.

 

 

 

 

 

Amber is incredibly well-loved and appreciated in the Nova Scotia Surf Community. Her friendship and kindness has reached all corners because she is a beacon of light, love, inclusivity and kindness. Surfing with Amber is a privilege! Her openness and mentorship to new and old surfers knows no end.

 

 

 

 

An example of this is that her first thought when receiving her diagnosis was to reach out to the Nova Scotia Female Mentorship facebook page to encourage others to get regular mammograms. In the couple weeks of summer between her surgery and chemo, Amber was committed to be outside and smiling every moment she could.

 

 

 

 

Amber is beloved by her students. As an English as an Additional Language Teacher she extends her positivity in the classroom, welcoming newcomers from all over the world. Unfortunately, as we all know, teaching is a labour of love, not riches. In the hopes of helping Amber, the Nova Scotia female surf community raised funds to pay for doggy day care for weeks while she recovered from her double mastectomy.

 

 

 

 

We now realize that we need more help.