Wednesday, May 8, 2024
Amanda Allphin has always been there when people needed her.
A former assistant nurse at Azle High School who has put three children — Hunter, Haylee and Hank — through the Azle ISD, Allphin has assisted with everything from athletic events to bond elections and many other activities along the way.
But now she could use some help of her own, and the Azle community has responded.
"I was really kind of shocked because we've always been the kind of family that helps people," Allphin said. "Whenever I was first told, I was just amazed. I'm just in awe. Seeing the love and support and hearing people say 'Let Azle help you, since you've helped so many people,' means so much to me and my family."
On Feb.13, Allphin was diagnosed with Stage 2 breast cancer for which she is currently receiving chemotherapy, and Dinosaur Land Children's Museum in Azle is holding a fundraiser to help defray Allphin's medical costs.
Sarah Martinez-Cantu, co-creator of the Dinosaur Land Children's Museum, said when she learned Allphin was fighting breast cancer, she knew she needed to help.
“We opened a business in 2017, and her family has been coming to every business we've owned since then,” Martinez-Cantu said. “They've always been really loyal. When I found out she had cancer this year, I wanted to support her in her time of need. When we were new, they helped us. Now that she is having trouble, we'd like to give back to her.”
The Dinosaur Land Children's Museum is located at 12175 Jacksboro Highway, Fort Worth, TX, 76135 and the two-day event will be held between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m April 27-28.
If visitors wear a pink ribbon or tell the front cashier they are there to support Amanda, the museum will donate that park admission to Allphin.
In the event of rain, customers can still buy a ticket over the phone to be used on another day.
For Allphin, who remains in good spirits as her treatment moves forward, said she is up for the fight.
"I'm doing well," Allphin said. "Just staying strong. I do have my days. I will get really tired, but I have not had any major side effects, like getting sick and stuff like that just yet. But chemo is going to last until at least September. I'm in a good positive place because I have a big army here in Azle."
Part of that army is her former employer, the Azle Independent School District, and Azle ISD Superintendent Todd Smith said the Allphins have meant a lot to the district.
"Amanda is a former employee here, but she has always been a strong supporter of Azle ISD, her and her family," Smith said. "Her husband (Koy) and his family are from here, and Amanda had a daughter who graduated a couple of years ago who was an outstanding athlete, and just a great student and pleasure to be around. Then, of course, she has a son who's in the eighth grade, so they've been a big part of this district.”
Smith said he is not at all surprised by the level of support for Allphin.
"It follows with what we've seen in the past," Smith said. "The Azle community as a whole is good about coming together in times of need for their families, and I think this is just another example of that. The community is coming together to show support for this family because she has been very supportive of Azle ISD as a parent and an employee."
Smith said he hopes Allphin realizes just how much he and the students, teachers and staff within the Azle ISD are behind her.
"I think it's extremely important that she knows," Smith said. "She has always been there for us in times of need, and always been a supporter of Azle in different ways. She has always cared a great deal about the school district and our efforts. So I think it's great that many of our folks are rallying behind her to show support to her and her family. She has definitely been there for others."
Allphin, whose son, Hank, and his friends wear pink every Tuesday when she receives her chemo treatments, became emotional when she described what the community and district support meant to her.
"They mean the world," Allphin said. "It was the hardest thing to leave the school district this year. I'm on medical leave, of course, but I now work at Medical City-Alliance. I did that to help push further in my schooling and medical knowledge and be more hands-on. I've always had a heart for helping people."
Allphin’s oldest son, Hunter, was a dedicated member of the Azle High School band and is now a band director himself at Burleson ISD.
Allphin has a long road ahead, with treatment that includes “a lot of chemotherapy,” followed by a double mastectomy, and then preventative chemo followed by reconstruction.
The Azle woman said she is extremely grateful for the fundraising event.
"Having this benefit will really help since I am not working," Allphin said. "Plus I have a kid at home still and medical bills. Then there is summer stuff, and I don't want to take a lot away from him (her son Hank). He's very involved and active in sports."
The Azle resident has been in the medical field since 1999, and when it comes to her own prognosis, she is confident in her course of treatment.
"I should be able to beat it," Allphin said. "It's just going to be a very long fight. No, there's no should. I will beat it . . . this has taught me that I'm stronger than I thought."
