By JACK PALMER

palmer@crescent-news.com

For most of her life, Becky D'Ambrosia has battled to beat long odds.

She was the six-county area's first-ever female district qualifier in high school wrestling and followed that up as a four-year starter for Cumberland College, one of the top women's wrestling programs in the country.

Today, at age 27, she is battling cervical cancer in a hospice center in Phoenix, Ariz.

"I have a strong faith and that has carried me through the tough days," she said in a phone interview from her bed at Hospice of the Valley, a wing of Phoenix Baptist Hospital. "I know I will be okay regardless of what happens."

D'Ambrosia, a 2001 graduate of Ayersville High School and daughter of Frank and Susan D'Ambrosia of Archbold, was diagnosed in March. She underwent surgery in April, but the cancer has recently spread to her entire abdominal cavity.

"She really got bad the last three weeks," said her mother. "She's now stage IV (which indicates the cancer has metastasized, or spread). When the pain gets bad, she tells me to be quiet because she wants to talk to God. That's how she deals with it."

D'Ambrosia's relentless determination was displayed again 10 days ago when she was married in the hospital chapel to her fiancé, Stephen Freeman.

"It was the happiest day of my life," said D'Ambrosia. "The hospital went out of their way to make it happen. Steve is a special and caring guy who would do anything for me."

She wore a resplendent white gown with rhinestone, veil and tiara. Doctors and nurses took time out of their days to attend. The hospital arranged for a professional photographer, supplied flowers and decorations, and prepared a full reception buffet.

"Becky gleamed that day, she really lit up in that dress," said her mother. "She and Steve had been dating for over two years. He proposed at her bedside. People did everything they could to make it happen."

"The hospital volunteers even provided a guest book and brought in a portable keyboard for me to play at the ceremony," added her father. "It was one of her dreams to be able to get married."

As a high school student, wrestling was her passion. She opened the doors of opportunity for area girls to wrestle at the high school varsity level. She was a national girls high school champion at 112 pounds and wrestled at 105 pounds in college.

"Becky was as competitive on the mat as any boy I've ever seen," said former Tinora High School wrestling coach Tim Brown. "After the OHSAA season was over, I followed her around to those national tournaments. The tougher the opponent, the tougher she got."

After graduating from Cumberland College in 2005, D'Ambrosia moved to Arizona and began working on a master's degree in forensic psychology.

"She was still working on it when she had to quit last month," said Sue D'Ambrosia. "She would have finished this year."

"Becky has always been a fighter," said Frank D'Ambrosia. "She has always been a strong person. Anything she did, she did well."

Brown, who still talks to D'Ambrosia by phone at least weekly, is among of group of friends who pray for her on Facebook every day at 4 p.m.

"We just pray the Lord's Prayer," said Brown. "The most meaningful part for me is 'thy will be done.' That's my prayer for Becky right now."

D'Ambrosia family friends are currently planning an all-day benefit and silent auction on Oct. 18 at UAW Local 211 hall in Defiance. The event begins at 11 a.m. and includes a hog roast, bake sale, Monte Carlo night, corn hole tournament, kids games, 50/50 raffle and live music. Proceeds will be used for medical bills and family travel expenses.

Individuals or businesses who wish to donate silent auction items are asked to call Stephanie Ankney at 419-980-2051. Monetary contributions payable to "Rebecca Angels of Love" can be made at any Farmers and Merchants State Bank or by contacting Elizabeth Scott at 419-438-3201.

"I cried when I heard about the benefit," said D'Ambrosia. "I didn't realize so many people were helping. I would love to be able to come back for it."

"Becky has always been very strong minded," said her father. "She doesn't worry about herself, she worries about her friends and family. She has touched so many lives."