By: Zach Catanzareti, Staff Writer
Angela Ruch sported a special logo when the Gander Outdoors Truck Series wrapped up competition Friday night at Homestead-Miami Speedway. And it’s more than just a new color on the side of the No. 44 Niece Motorsports truck and more than just another sponsor with a helping hand.
Ruch’s nephew, 19-year-old Eric Erdman, suffers from Anaplastic Grade III Ependymoma, a rare and aggressive form of brain cancer. Being diagnosed in 2016, Erdman now has only three months to live.
“As of now, my illness increased and sadly I only have three months left to live,” Erdman told Kickin’ The Tires Friday at Homestead. “With my illness, I just enjoy time with family and enjoy the moments. I say that you have to keep having these moments to make an impact.”
He will celebrate his 20th birthday on Wednesday, November 20.
“When I’m with my family, I don’t think of the illness,” he said. “I’ve had three rounds of radiation, a chemo, which was a clinical trial. They said that this is what it is.”
Approximately 50 teenagers are diagnosed with this form of cancer every year. However, even with the odds against his favor, Erdman took his circumstance to make a difference. Enter Ruch’s sponsor for the weekend at Homestead: Give a Child a Voice.
Erdman uses a wheelchair for long-distance travel and as he rolled into the No. 44 pit area Friday, he got the first look at the Chevrolet sporting his logo. Though Erdman was unable to stay for the delayed Truck Series event, the sight alone was worth the trip.
Erdman had the vision of helping kids who are victims of child abuse and bullying. Erdman himself suffered from both at a young age and has made it his life’s goal to give others a voice with his organization.
“It was pretty much based on my whole life,” he said. “From age 11 to 13, I was a victim of child abuse and bullying. Three years later, I got diagnosed with terminal brain cancer. Now, it’s moved on to Stage 4.
“With the whole foundation, my whole message is to give children their voices. When I went through all the heartache and bullying, I felt like I was alone. On an island. When I started the foundation and finally spoke up, it gave me a relief.”
Graduating from Penn State University at 19 years old, Erdman has seen a dramatic shift in his self-worth. Seeing his sixth NASCAR race this weekend, he now has gotten to see aunt Ruch continue her racing career in the Truck Series while spreading his lasting impact.
“I told Angela that every time that logo is on the car, that’s at least one person that sees it,” he said. “When she’s finishes 200 laps in, that’s like 200 people. It’s awesome.”
For 36-year-old Ruch, it’s been quite the ride to have her nephew’s cause hit the track with her over the years. Sponsoring her last month at Talladega, Give a Child a Voice also was seen on her Xfinity Series car from 2017-’18. Combating child violence, Ruch couldn’t support it more.
“To have them on the truck this weekend, I’m excited having them here supporting us,” Ruch said. “High school is no joke. I can remember my times in high school, you’re not the most popular, they judge you for having things. High school is tough, and it gets crueler and crueler.”
Knowing of Erdman’s difficulties experienced at a young age, Ruch has seen how he has opened up over the last three years since his diagnosis.
“I would say 10 years ago he was very quiet and timid. A little mouse in the corner, not himself,” she said. “Today, since he’s been diagnosed with this terminal brain cancer, it’s brought him out of his shell. Kind of giving him a purpose in life. It’s really made him like nine feet tall, he’s a totally changed kid.
“I hate that his life is cut short but in the end, I think he’s making a difference — I know he’s making a difference.”
One goal of Give a Child a Voice is to pay it forward by launching Erdman’s “Give a Child a Voice Fitness Center Giveaway”. With this giveaway, Erdman is seeking the next school to be the recipients of a gym transformation. Students are encouraged to nominate their school and tell Eric why their school should receive the transformation.
The back-story to this goal started when Erdman was contacted by Make-A-Wish in 2016 following his diagnosis. Erdman asked that his high school’s gymnasium be transformed to give other kids an outlet to escape their pain by building physical and mental strength. The Construction Leadership Network partnered with Give a Child a Voice to help int he school gym transformations.
“At this point, we’re just fighting day by day,” Ruch said. “My long-term goal is to see it through and continue building these gyms for people to have a voice and to get away. That’s how Eric found himself. He was bullied and abused, and he found himself in a gym, building his confidence. All kids need that get away.”
Looking clear past all of his obstacles, Erdman keeps his goals in focus. And he couldn’t be happier.
“I look at it as the best thing that’s ever happened to me,” he said of his diagnosis. “I got to start a foundation with amazing people. My aunt went back to NASCAR. Life is so different. I’m so much happier because before this, I was introverted and now I’m outspoken and finally being myself.
“When I was little, my mother taught us to never look at the bad things. In life, you’re dealt with two scenarios: To be happy and impactful or be upset. When I got diagnosed, I remember what my mom said.”
He even got to check off his top bucket-list item last year.
“I only had one thing on my bucket list,” he said. “I went to Las Vegas and they have that really huge tower with the needle. They have base jumps off it — and I base jumped off it with my mom. It was awesome, it was 1,000 feet up in the sky.”