Eric Erdman, 19, has been battling an aggressive rare form of brain cancer – Anaplastic Grade III Ependymoma for three years. The terminally ill teen has only a few months left to live and he’s spending that time giving back to others with his organization Give a Child a Voice. The foundation aims to help put an end to child abuse, bullying, as well as life-threatening childhood illnesses.
By: Heather Newgen @hnvoluntourist
Since learning of his condition at just 16-years-old, Eric Erdman immediately jumped into action to help others. He created the T.E.K Foundation CC Inc., operating as Give a Child a Voice, which shows children how powerful and important their voices can be.
“The cause is important to me because for me being silent I learned was much more painful than breaking the silence. When I broke my silence a better version of me surfaced. It would mean the world if more kids could break the silence to stop suffering in silence,” he told The Voluntourist.
“I was inspired to create the Give a Child a Voice movement from the pain I experienced first hand in my life. The fact that I can truly say I am no longer a victim anymore of child abuse, bullying, and even my terminal illness. The moment I spoke out I no longer was a victim. It is my mission to help more kids not be a victim anymore,” he added.
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One of the most rewarding things for Erdman to see is the positive impact Give a Child a Voice is having.
“The impact on kids so far has been absolutely incredible, so many kids reach out daily and share their stories. Some searching for additional assistance which is why we are also searching for more organizations to partner with so we may get kids the help they need,” he shared.
Erdman is now is hospice, but is still fighting for his cause. He is seeking the next school (so far he has helped two) to be the recipients of a gym transformation with the impending months he has left through his “Give a Child a Voice Fitness Center Give-A-Way.” The foundation is launching their gym transformation contest at the recent NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series Race in Miami where his aunt famed race car driver Angela Ruch paid tribute to Erdman.
“I’m racing for Eric at the Ford EcoBoost 200 because it takes a village to construct a gym, and our goal is to raise $300,000 to help Eric continue to make an impact in more children’s lives. To transform another gym with the final months Eric has remaining, along with many more gyms to come, I can’t think of a more
worthy cause,” Ruch stated.
Eric and his brother Tylor designed the wrap for her truck, which featured Give a Child a Voice to commemorate his efforts in paying it forward.
“To know Eric has spent time with his brother designing this wrap for the final race of the year has so much meaning to me. I’m racing for a great cause as we need to help all children find their voices, Ruch said.
She continued, “Eric was bullied and abused as a child and was a timid kid growing up. He found himself spending time in the gym to help clear his mind, and grow confidence within himself. That’s when he decided to start his own foundation, Give A Child A Voice. Now Eric has purpose which has driven him to start building gyms across the US to help other kids, like it helped him.”
Erdman has always believed in viewing life as if we are all books, waiting to be written. Although he won’t be able to write as many chapters as other people, he continues to work hard to ensure that the chapters he is writing are meaningful.” We are the authors of our stories – not our abusers, not our bullies, and not our life-threatening illnesses. When we break the silence, we take back control,” he said.
To learn more about Give a Child a Voice visit https://www.giveachildavoice.us/.