Aspart of my series about “individuals and organizations making an important social impact”, I had the pleasure of interviewing Eric Erdman. He is nineteen years of age and the founder of the T.E.K. Foundation CC, Inc. operating as Give a Child a Voice. With only a few months to live, Eric has accomplished more in his nineteen years of life, then people who live to old age. July 13, 2016, age sixteen, Eric Erdman was diagnosed with an aggressive form of advanced brain cancer — Anaplastic Grade III Ependymoma.

He has endured four brain surgeries, sixty‐one sessions of radiation, and a round of chemo, and there is no further treatment available. Eric, once very shy and introverted due to being abused and bullied as a child, remarkably found his voice when diagnosed with brain cancer through the support of his community. To witness a community come together, for a kid with cancer, Eric feels is something beyond words. It has forever transformed his perspective on life and inspired him to use his voice to help other children find theirs.

Full article here: https://medium.com/authority-magazine/social-impact-heroes-how-eric-erdman-of-the-t-e-k-53385696b28a

NASCAR driver Angela Ruch is one of three women competing this season. Ruch competed in the Truck Series of the Daytona 500 last weekend but a crash kept her from placing in the top ten.

This comes off a record breaking run at last year’s race for Ruch and her team. She was the first woman to lead lap times in the Truck Series ultimately finishing in eighth place overall-a career best.

Full article here: https://www.wmfe.org/angela-ruch-teaches-young-fans-lessons-about-racing-and-life-on-and-off-the-track/145148

DALLAS (WBAP/KLIF)- Life High School Oak Cliff was awarded a brand new weight room courtesy of Give a Child a Voice, a nonprofit organization founded by Eric Erdman, a terminally ill teen who is battling brain cancer. The goal of Give a Child a Voice is to end to child abuse, bullying, and life-threatening childhood illnesses. The organization works to help children and teens by showing them how powerful and important their voices can be.

“Before I was diagnosed with a life-threatening terminal illness, I fought every day of my life to find peace and strength to face my painful past, due to being a victim of child abuse and bullying. I started to transform my mind and body by going to the gym to create and focus on the best version of me. The gym allowed me to shut out all the noise in my life which eventually led to finding my voice, from the help and support of my community,” said Eric.

Full article here: https://www.wbap.com/2020/02/20/life-high-school-oak-cliff-awarded-gym-renovation-from-terminally-ill-teen/