Flock of flamingos helps local family

(l to r) Erin, Lori, Jim, Jack and Michelle Roderick PHOTO/ANDREW SULLIVAN Hudson - Don't be fooled by Erin Roderick's small frame. Despite her size, this 4-year-old's courage is nothing short of gigantic. At 10 months old, Erin was diagnosed with a brain tumor called Ependymoma and has endured three surgeries to remove the tumor, radiation treatments and numerous chemotherapies.

The sickness is impossible to detect behind Erin's contagious upbeat personality.

"I'm a big girl," she said aloud to no one in particular, in a pink dress straight out of a Disney fairytale.

Her family can't help but feel inspired.

"I think she's the strongest one in the family," said Erin's father, Jim. "She's the glue that holds us all together. She has more fight and determination than any of us and that keeps us fighting forward."

Erin's fight has led to a unique campaign called the Fund-raiser Flamingo Flocking. Residents of Hudson wake up to a host of pink plastic flamingos scattered across their front lawns. For $20, the flock can be removed and the homeowner can suggest another house to visit.

The fund-raiser was created by Lori Farrell, who's living with incurable breast cancer. She first became aware of Erin's condition in an article about a fund-raiser for the Rodericks and Farrell recognized the family as the ones who purchased her old condo. After learning that Jim had lost his job after close to 20 years at the same company, she knew it was time to act.

"I just thought that's too much bad luck for one family," she said.

Over 50 houses have been "flocked" and more than $2,000 has been raised since the campaign started in August. Farrell couldn't be happier with the results.

"It's more therapy for me," she said. "When I do it, I get energized. Each time we flock, it puts a smile on my face."

The money raised go towards the family's living expenses. Thanks to the contributions, Erin is experiencing things she would normally never have had a chance to.

"The best thing we've been able to do with the money that I don't think we would have been able to do is sign Erin up for ballet," said Erin's mother, Michelle. "She loves it. She's in her glory there."

Michelle is appreciative of all the community has done and continues to do.

"It really makes us feel good," she said. "It helps to know we're not totally alone. People do what they can. This is how people can help us and we're just so grateful and appreciative. The economy isn't great and people are still donating."

The community has embraced the fund-raiser, according to Farrell.

"A lot of people have heard about Erin from different [media sources] but they don't have any updates," she said. "When they get 'flocked' they become part of it. It makes it more handson. You can't help but smile when you see 12 pink flamingos in a yard."

For Michelle, all of Farrell's work has helped shine some light on a bleak situation.

"Lori is an inspiration to me because she goes through this every day and has her own family to deal with," she said.

The Rodericks continue to make the most of a tough situation. Recently, the family received news that Erin's tumor may have returned.

"It's really given us a new outlook on how you really have to appreciate everything in life," Jim said.

Anyone interested in learning more about Erin and her family can head to her website at www.caringbridge. org/visit/erinroderick. If interested in making a donation, write a check payable to Erin's Fund located at Saint Mary's Credit Union on Main Street in Hudson.