Amy’s Yard Sale Foundation is named for our founder, Amy Clark. Amy was a mother, wife, daughter and friend to many. She was an amazing person who did so much good in this world and has inspired many others to do good as well. Amy was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer in December of 2016. She had been experiencing headaches and back pain for about a month. Doctors were baffled by what was causing her pain until she demanded a MRI. The MRI revealed a golf ball sized tumor in her brain. Further scans revealed cancer throughout her body. She had successful emergency brain surgery the following day. In the months that followed, Amy had radiation, chemo, immuno and proton therapies. She fought very hardto beat cancer but unfortunately her battle ended in September of 2017.
Amy and her family learned that there are many blessings that come with a cancer diagnosis. The greatest blessing is that you get to see the good in the world. Amy’s family and friends stepped up and helped with the kids, provided meals and made sure that her family had everything that they needed. In addition, complete strangers showed up and offered to help. As the cancer was killing her, her focus remained on all of the positive things that she saw around her. The idea for Amy’s Yard Sale came one night while she was in the radiation oncology room. At this point in time, Amy had been diagnosed with leptomeningeal disease and was in hospice care. She was receiving proton therapies in order to stabilize her spinal column so that she could make the most of the time that she had left. While she was waiting, she noticed two small children sitting on the floor coloring. It was about 9 PM. She turned to her husband and said, “those kids shouldn’t be here.” It started a conversation and the idea for Amy’s Yard Sale was born. Amy wanted to help with childcare so that children did not have to sit in waiting rooms while their parents received treatments or had doctor appointments.
Since that conversation, Amy’s Yard Sale has been able to directly help over 70 families. The needs of each family are different. We have provided help with childcare, groceries, utilities, transportation, medications and in-home care. Our goals is to help reduce the burdens on the family while they are battling cancer. We hope that you will help us do Amy’s work. Her loss is not only a loss for her family and friends but loss for the world. She would have done so much good in this world had her battle not been cut short. The best way that we can honor her is to do her work and help others.
“Amy died feeling very loved and believing that people are so good because of the kindness and generosity that so many people showed us throughout her battle. She often said, “People are so good.” Her foundation is a way for us to pay it forward.”
