It is with heavy hearts we share news that our friend Patrick Erwin, passed away on January 18, 2017 at the Senator Bob Hooper House in Forest Hill, MD.
Hope Strengthens Foundation was privileged to connect directly with Patrick last summer to learn more about his inspirational fight against brain cancer. In 2015, Patrick had a grand mal seizure at work. The doctors discovered a brain tumor. And thus began over a year of surgery, chemo, radiation and experimental treatments at Johns Hopkins University. Through it all, Patrick kept his sense of humor, his wife Stephanie continued working her way through nursing school, and both of them focused on enjoying life with their family.
After battling through his treatments, an MRI revealed that Patrick’s tumor was back, months before the doctor’s had thought it could resurface. Another round of surgery to remove the new growth went smoothly. However, this past July, Patrick learned that the tumor had already started to grow back. Because Patrick was awfully young to have brain cancer, he was an ideal candidate for trial treatments. Patrick, his family and the doctors decided to commence a PVS-RIPO trial, otherwise referred to as the Polio trial, to battle his brain cancer.
We last chatting with Patrick during the holidays, shortly after he returned from his latest visit to Duke University Hospital for treatment, tests and meetings with doctors. As always, Patrick was extremely positive, focused on his family and thinking positively about the future.
Patrick and his wife Stephanie had six children, three of whom were adopted. Their lives revolved around gymnastics, baseball, and birthday parties. We could feel Patrick’s immense love for his family whenever we spoke with him. The support received from family and friends drove him to fight. His positive attitude through it all was nothing short of inspirational.
Hope Strengthens Foundation will continue to help Stephanie pay for medical bills accrued during Patrick’s long battle against brain cancer. We could use your help. Please consider making a donation today by visiting the following link:
Donate to help pay for Patrick’s medical bills
– HSF
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Patrick Erwin’s Obituary
Patrick Erwin, age 40, of Forest Hill, MD passed away on January 18, 2017 at the Senator Bob Hooper House in Forest Hill, MD. Born in San Diego, CA, he was the son of Wanda (Giffen) Erwin and the late Roger Dale Erwin. He spent a lot of time with his Forest Hill Express Baseball Family where his sons play baseball. He coached Forest Hill Rec Baseball and enjoyed watching his daughter’s gymnastics, daughter in drama and his son in archery. He was a huge Dallas Cowboy fan and loved watching every game. He loved his family and his family was the most important thing to him.
Mr. Erwin is survived by his wife, Stephanie Rachael Erwin; sons, Drummer Scott Briggs, Christopher Roger Shouta Erwin and Jorian Juice Briggs; daughters, Lola Brite Briggs, Olivia Mika Elle Erwin and Jazz Holiday Erwin; brothers, Michael Erwin and Brian Erwin; sister, Allison Renee Erwin Hebert; nephews and nieces, Tyler Erwin, Easton Erwin, Alex Erwin, George Erwin, Neil Hebert, Chloe Stewart and Ruth Hebert.