Local 'lives in the now' as she navigates breast cancer

SANDPOINT — When Adia Burton was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer in September, she knew she faced a challenging journey, but she also knew that she was “in the now, now” — as she puts it.

In 1989, Burton moved to Sandpoint from the Oregon coast with her parents and two brothers. Since she was 10, she has been living life to the fullest, huckleberry picking every fall, snowboarding in the winters and swimming in Lake Pend Oreille in the summers. For the past 30 years, she has been forging ties with Bonner County community, especially once she began serving people of Sandpoint and beyond with her Greek food truck, Opa!.

A few months ago, Burton found a concerning lump that she decided to have examined by a medical professional.

“Within a month — a couple of days actually, it was like ‘Oh my gosh, well now you have breast cancer,’” Burton said. “Now my whole life is changing. I shut the food truck down, and now I’m just staying home trying to be healthy.”

She said it’s a new world for her, and the beginning stage of treatment is a confusing place to be.

“The hard part is, you're preparing to be sick when you feel OK — It’s a weird feeling,” Burton said.

Triple negative breast cancer is considered the most aggressive form, meaning swift treatment and support are needed, a GoFundMe page for Burton said. With many elements of Burton’s struggle not covered by medical insurance, and an over eight-month period where she will not be able to work, community support will be invaluable for her healing. The GoFundMe page, created in late September, offers one way for individuals to contribute to her progress.

“Whether you've worked with her at the food court during the Festival at Sandpoint, for her in her food truck, or eaten her amazing Greek food at an event catered by Opa!,” the page states. “Maybe you're just blessed enough to call her your friend. She is an example of what community and perseverance can do in our little slice of 7B heaven.”

Leah Evans is hosting a fundraising event to support her friend Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at the Heartwood Center. The evening will feature music from the band, “Nights of Neon” and a $20 entry donation is requested for those wishing to attend. Prior to the event, a silent auction will be held at Matchwood Brewery. The auction tables will be displayed from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m., at the brewery, and the winners will be announced at the fundraising event shortly after, Evans said. Breweries participating in Oktoberfest have also agreed to donate up to 10% of their sales from that day to Adia’s expenses.

Evans and Burton met in school, but became close friends as adults. Since then, Evans said that Burton has constantly encouraged those around her to do the things that they are afraid of. She has always encouraged her friends to “live in the now,” Evans said, because that’s where they are.

“I tend to be a worrier and a planner, and it can sometimes overshadow my ability to accomplish things, or to be really present and the best version of myself,” Evans said. “[Adia] is the first person to say ‘Stop. Where are we? What are we doing? We’re in the now, now. Just deal with that — handle that, and everything else is going to be OK.’”

Info: www.gofundme.com/f/7b-breast-cancer-warrior-fund-for-adia-burton