Amanda Torres of Whitelaw is a 4th-grade girls’ youth basketball coach in Valders.
She’s also the mother of 9-year-old Lexie.
Their world turned upside down on November 27th, 2024, when Amanda, just 36 years old, was diagnosed with stage four inflammatory breast cancer.
Sara Hochkammer works in The Valders School District and tells SeehaferNews.com, “She also went through some further testing where they found out through additional scans that the cancer had spread to her liver, lymph nodes and bones.”
It was only five years ago that Amanda lost her husband and Lexie, her father Peter, to cancer. We asked Sara how Lexie is holding up.
“Of course, she is scared and worried,” Sara said. “Lexie has put her faith and trust in God, and she’s been so strong. Lexie is constantly telling her mom that everything is going to be o.k. Through the Lord, Lexie has given everyone positive advice and it’s amazing to see how’s she’s been a comfort and blessing to everyone else.”
Her daughter, Junior Megan Hochkammer, is the starting guard for the Viking girls’ basketball team, and she just felt compelled to do something.
“She is extremely close with Lexie,” Sara explained. “As soon as Amanda told her she came to me and said we need to do something. Let’s throw a fundraiser and help them and their family. Let’s do this.”
A group of team mothers got together one night after a game to discuss if this was something they would like to do and if they could take this on.
There was very little, if any, doubt, and shortly afterward, with countless volunteers pitching in on time and resources, there was full support thrown behind Amanda and Lexie to help them in their fight, co-coordinated by Hochkammer and Amy Olson.
All this has led to Valders and surrounding communities asking for you, if you can, to attend tonight’s (January 23rd) girls’ basketball game between Valders and Two Rivers at Valders High School.
“Come on out and support Amanda and Lexie and their family,” Sara encouraged the public. “There are going to be some tough times ahead, and we as a Valders community, especially the basketball team, friends, and the community, want to support Amanda and Lexie all the way.”
Events include a 50/50 and basket raffle, Chuck a Duck at halftime, one minute for Amanda where players will be collecting donations a minute before the game and a free throw contest beginning at 5:30 p.m. in the high school gymnasium.
The game starts at 6:30 p.m.
All proceeds go to the Torres family.
