An avid cheerleader, dancer, soccer player and straight “A” student, Amanda knew what it felt like to be fully alive,  until the day her 17-year-old world turned upside down. After a cheer camp, which understandably leaves more than a few students with aches and pains, Amanda complained of a sharp pain in her left knee. Without alarm, Amanda's parents took her to a doctor who treated her for a sport related injury. When the pain did not subside Amanda's parents took her to a sports physician who diagnosed her with a pinched sciatic nerve. Though serious injuries in their own right, these conditions would seem like a walk in the park compared to what Amanda was about to face.

The pain did not subside and one summer day, after a doctor prescribed MRI. Amanda heard the news that changed her life forever. "I'll never forget the day I heard those words," she recalls as if telling someone else's story. She was diagnosed with Osteogenic Sarcoma, a childhood bone cancer. Amanda’s mother, Denise, vividly recalls the horror- filled moments as the doctor explained that there was a tumor surrounding Amanda’s left pelvic region, encompassing her ileum and stretching towards the base of her spine. Amanda says, "I cried but only for a little while, my biggest concern was how I can get better and get back to living."

That fight to survive would be the greatest struggle of her young life. Doctors immediately began chemo but after months of treatment, it did not shrink the tumor. Amanda’s family, desperate to ease her pain and rid her of the disease, was hopeful when they were informed of a ground breaking treatment available in Colorado. The procedure, which directly administers chemo to the tumor through an attached vein, attacks the disease at its source. "This had to work," her mother remembers sadly, "it was her last hope." When the doctors delivered the news that the tumor had not shrunk and the treatments had failed, it was a devastating blow.

Despite all of this physical and mental anguish, Amanda's bright smile and indomitable spirit came shining through. She continued to attend school, cheer with her squad and finished her school year on the A honor roll. "She has taught me more about the strength of the human spirit than anyone I've ever known," her mom says with pride and tears in her eyes. Meanwhile, Amanda’s doctors in Texas and Colorado worked tirelessly and arduously to help her. At one point there was a glimmer of hope as the cancer, through radiation, looked like it had been contained. Amanda immediately rushed right back to all the activities she loved, including soccer. Soon however, it was discovered that the cancer had spread out of its edges, farther into her hip and pelvic area.

After numerous months of failed treatment, Amanda was faced with the decision no teenager should ever have to make. “I decided that I would live my life as an amputee, but not with cancer”. On October 7th, 2008, Amanda’s left leg, hip and part of her pelvic region were removed. To say that life would never be the same for her seems to be a gross understatement, but Amanda has a rare “fight” in her, that is an inspiration. Thanks to the Amputee and Prosthetic Center, Amanda is attacking life and its challenges with renewed gusto. In December, she accompanied Robyn Skogman, a prosthetist from the Amputee and Prosthetic Center to Minnesota where she was fitted with her new prosthetic hip joint and leg. Her custom fit prosthesis gave Amanda a new lease on life and even more energy. Her contagious smile and effervescent personality as she walked on her new leg, were matched only by her sheer determination. It was that very determination that ensured Amanda’s success. Just 10 days after receiving her new leg, there was not a dry eye in the room as she walked down the aisle at her sister’s wedding. Click here for photo gallery.