TEHKUMMAH—The 19-year-old Tehkummah woman, Amanda Albrecht, who received a double lung transplant due to a lifelong battle with cystic fibrosis and who was the focus of a fundraising event held at the Tehkummah Triangle Seniors Club last November is continuing to face challenges but remains a fighter.
“The Island community was so supportive of Amanda,” said Ruth Streicher, who singled out Orr’s Valumart in Little Current as being especially onside when it came to the fundraising event. “They are very community-minded,” she said. “Everyone has been wonderful.”
The young woman had been released from hospital and was staying in an apartment in Toronto to be near the hospital, set to return home, when an aneurism the size of a small orange was discovered between her lungs requiring immediate and extremely invasive surgery.
Amanda is described as a quiet young woman who eschews the centre of attention, so the focus on her medical issues have been an added challenge for her. Her parents are well-known in the community. Her mother Kathleen can be found in less stressful times as a vendor at the NEMI Farmer’s Market and her father Earl is quite active in the community as well.
“Amanda has struggled with her health all her life,” noted Ms. Streicher. When the complications subside, it is everyone’s hope and prayer that she will be able to feel in good health.
