Teri Vance: Family seeking donations to bury mother of six

The family of a local woman who died this month after her second battle with cancer is asking the community for help with her burial costs and to take care of the six children she left behind.

“Amanda was the sort of person who was always there to help those in need; however, she would never ask for help herself,” wrote her sister Nikki Mercer on the Go Fund Me page. “That’s why we want to briefly tell you her story, so you can see how special she was and why I’m working along with other family and friends to see she gets her last wishes met with a proper burial she deserves and to assist in the financial transition her six children will be facing while mourning the loss of their mother.”

Amanda Vandercliffe, 34, who adopted five foster children and had one biological child, received a stem cell transplant for Stage 4 Large T-Cell Non Hodgkins Lymphoma on July 14.

Mercer said complications were almost immediate.

“She was quickly transferred to the ICU where her organs began to fail,” Mercer reported. “A team of doctors tried their best to get her stabilized and back to health, but God had other plans for her and called her home on the evening on July 22, 2015, after a strong and brave fight.”

Mercer said her sister spent her life giving.

“What made Amanda one of the most unique and special people I have ever known is the depth of love she exuded, the selfless care she had given to others, the sacrifices she had made to those in need and her relentless courage,” Mercer wrote. “The prime example I can give is the love, care and sacrifice I have personally seen her display with her six kids, five of whom are adopted and are former foster children. Through Amanda’s love, care and support, I have seen the lives of these children positively transformed. They are definitely going to be better people because of her and will continue her legacy. She was a fierce fighter and fought all the way to the end.”

They are asking for $5,000.

“This has been a very hard time for all of us. We take comfort in knowing she is with the Lord, but we wish she was still here with us,” Mercer said. “We are going to miss her dearly, she is gone but not forgotten and so incredibly loved. Thank you for all your love, prayers and support throughout this entire process.”

To donate, go to http://www.gofundme.com/izm3l0.