Choosing to Live with Purpose

It all began at Sunnyside Hospital 20 years ago. Andrew Elwood made his first appearance and has never looked back. Having two older sisters, Jennifer and Tara, Andrew was born to Rachel and Matthew Elwood. Through much of his early years Andrew moved around quite a bit with his mother and oldest sister, Jennifer. His parents divorced and he lived in Corbett off and on. Once in 5th grade, he moved to Corbett permanently. Andrew's mother died when he was just 11 years old. After living in a short term care home, he lived with Corbett residents Sonny and Carnetta Boyd before moving in permanently with Great Aunt Sarah Stewart and (soon-to-be) Uncle Scott in Corbett. Andrew played football for Corbett throughout middle and early high school. He also took private lessons to earn his Black Belt in Brazilian Jujitsu and a Tier 2 Qualification in Muay Thai. Andrew also worked during the summer time period at the local View Point Inn Restaurant. He teamed up throughout high school with Jacy Clare to represent Corbett High's Robotics Team three consecutive years at the MATE International Aquatic Robotics Competition. Up against 5 and 6A schools, the two man team managed to place 3rd at regionals! Once graduated from Corbett High, Andrew headed to Oregon State University to pursue mechanical engineering. Because of his current struggle with his unique and aggressive cancer, Andrew has taken a step back from school but will go back to pursue pre-med with a focus on chiropractic medicine next fall (2013). His goal is to eventually pursue his doctorate in medicine. Andrew has been diagnosed six different times with melanoma and suffers from constant physical pains, even while medicated. Andrew is not depressed or discouraged, although he has been down those paths. Having childhood friends JR Renner and Cierra Williams as well as key "extended family" such as the parents of his best and closest friends and many Corbett teachers, has made a HUGE impact and difference in his life. Andrew said Corbett is a place of comfort and security for him, knowing he truly is cared about here. In a recent friendship with Aubrey Woodard, Andrew took on a new faith in God and has a new outlook on life. In December of 2011, after facing an occipital cranionomy, Andrew said he had thought the most powerful feeling was pain, but realized soon after that it was instead, love. Andrew's greatest desire at this point is to help others. He has taken the initiative in life to live by striving to incorporate all levels of health and medicine, whether is be Western or Eastern Medicines, nutrition, fitness; whatever he can find, to find a cure for his disease. Andrew has begun tattooing what matters most to him and what he lives by, on his body. Currently he honors his grandfather and hero, Albert Smith with "Maxime Honorem", latin for "Honor Above All Else" across shoulders. A vendetta to his mother tattooed on his right shoulder reads "Superstes" Latin for "Survive," and the Roman numerals "MMIII" which represent the year his mother passed away from pancreatic cancer. Andrew lives each day believeing that there is always more positive than negative in the world, and that there is always hope. If you wish to support Andrew, please go to: www.corbettoregon.com/community/support-drew.