Outpouring of support for teachers after cancer diagnosis

Ben Joe, Niagara Gazette, Niagara Falls, N.Y.
·2 min read

Apr. 12—LOCKPORT — Tim and Megan Murphy met in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, at the elementary school where they both worked. Tim was a fourth-grade teacher and had lived in Myrtle Beach all his life while Megan taught fifth grade and was a transplant from Western New York.

The two hit it off and on Dec. 11, 2021, they married in Buffalo.

Following their wedding, the newlyweds bought a house in Lockport, Megan's hometown, and both got jobs with the Lyndonville Central School District. Tim started teaching math to third-graders, and Megan taught all subjects to a first-grade classroom. They worked hard and were popular in the district. Tim even coached Little League for a season and was well-known.

But then tragedy struck. Tim had a seizure in his sleep on Dec. 28 that awoke his wife. He was rushed to Buffalo General and was a patient there through four days of testing.

"They said there was swelling in my frontal lobe, but there was no clear image," Murphy said.

A biopsy was taken, and shortly after that, a tumor was removed. The tests came back positive in February for brain cancer and Murphy's six weeks of radiation began. Today he's finished the radiation and will begin nine months of chemotherapy to eradicate the cancer.

But in the meantime, the Murphys feel blessed. Their son, Nolan Timothy Murphy was born March 8, later than expected, but healthy.

"Every day is a blessing," Tim said.

Currently, the Lyndonville schools are "going gray on Mondays in May!" and wearing shirts with the words "Brain Cancer Warrior" and "Team Murphy" to support the Murphys and as a part of Brain Cancer Awareness Month. Shirts can be ordered at www.teammurphylcs.spiritsale.com and proceeds will go to the Murphy family.

A benefit is also being thrown by Sara Spoth, a florist who became friends with the couple.

"Both of them are out of work for an unknown amount of time. I know they've taken (Tim) out for at least a year. He's going to be starting his very intense chemotherapy," Spoth said. "And they just had their baby and she's on leave for that. We just want to help them with everyday expenses. Mortgage payments. Car payments. Any bills they have."

The benefit will take place on April 21 at the Banchetti Banquet Hall at 550 North French Road from noon to 4 p.m.

There will be food, a basket raffle, door prizes, high-value raffles and a 50/50.

A GoFundMe site has also met its goal for the couple and even Tim's old pizzeria employer in Myrtle Beach has decided to give the new family all the proceeds from one day's sales.

"We're very shocked, but in a good way by how everyone has supported us," Megan said. "So many people have shown us that they love us."