Amanda Allie

Journalist by day.
Creative writer by night.
Haiku, anyone?
WXYZ 7 Action News Detroit •

You're invited: The Rainbow Connection's Dream Makers Ball

DETROIT (WXYZ) — The Rainbow Connection's Dream Makers Ball is quickly approaching, and the nonprofit is saving you a seat. You're invited to celebrate and support brave children like Hazel, this year's Wish Ambassador. Right now, Hazel is undergoing treatment for a soft tissue cancer for the second time. The little girl was re-diagnosed shortly after returning home from meeting Elsa and Anna in Disney World, a wish granted by The Rainbow Connection. On Saturday, May 13, Hazel and her family
WXYZ 7 Action News Detroit •

Students create discreet backpack pantry to help peers who face hunger

DEARBORN HEIGHTS, MI (WXYZ) — "It's the feeling of gratitude that you get. It's the knowing that you did something. You can't change the world, of course, but you can make it a little better," Makayla Morrell explained confidently. Morrell is Interact Club President at Robichaud High School in Dearborn Heights. Filled with the giving spirit, students there are working to make a difference for their peers who face food insecurity. Teens created a discreet backpack pantry to operate during the h
WXYZ 7 Action News Detroit •

Annual tree lighting proves it’s always the right time to Light Up The Season

WXYZ — In this ever-changing world, there’s nothing quite like tradition and old world holiday charm. That once again proved true Friday, November 19, at the 19th Annual Detroit Tree Lighting. Faces were aglow with happiness in every corner of Campus Martius Park. Dave LewAllen, Carolyn Clifford and Glenda Lewis were greeted with smiles as they prepared for our one-hour Light Up The Season special. Chief Meteorologist Dave Rexroth distracted colleagues and fans from cold temperatures with his
WXYZ 7 Action News Detroit •

Swab for Treats: There's nothing spooky about saving a life

WXYZ — Making a difference. It’s something many metro Detroiters want to do, but they think they don’t have the time or aren’t sure where to start. On Tuesday, October 25, you have the chance to potentially save a life with one simple cheek swab. “Don’t be nervous. It is so simple. It is painless. I am on the national registry and I have been on the registry for a multitude of years. It is a wonderful, almost an altruistic thing to do…” explained Erika Dudley, Director of Transplant Services a
WXYZ •

7 Action News viewers become family through kidney donation

WXYZ — A donation from a 7 Action News viewer is giving another viewer the chance to live a longer and healthier life. Roosevelt Williams is a father, grandfather, husband, and friend. The Romulus man had everything he wanted in life. Everything -- but a kidney he desperately needed to keep living. We first told introduced you to Roosevelt last September. He was candid about his plea for someone to step up. "I think it's something everybody should think about sometimes -- donating -- because
WXYZ •

Childhood Cancer Survivor Day filled with love, support

WXYZ — A heartwarming show of support for childhood cancer survivors took place on the first Saturday of June. Children’s Hospital of Michigan hosted its 26th annual Childhood Cancer Survivor Day at CJ Barrymore's in Clinton Township. 7 Action News Anchor Dave LewAllen served as Program Host of the Celebration of Life. The event is a celebration of triumph — and a chance to make sure every child knows they’re loved, supported and a survivor every step of the way. “We’ll ring the bell for each
WXYZ •

“You die one day, but you live every day”

WXYZ — More than 10 years ago a metro Detroit woman was told she only had three months to live. Tonight, Joanne Ortolan of Grosse Ile is inviting you to join her to ‘Pink Out The Park’ at Comerica Park. It’s the 10th anniversary of the theme night, which raises money for critical breast cancer research. Joanne has been living with the most advanced stage of breast cancer for 10 years: stage four, also called metastatic. That means the disease has spread to other areas of her body. Joanne refuse

Parkinson's Disease: Do you know the signs?

WXYZ — Nearly one million Americans live with Parkinson's disease, and awareness can make all the difference. April is Parkinson's Awareness Month, and April 11 is World Parkinson's Day. The disease might sound scary at first, but delaying help can be even scarier. "The one thing I can say is burying your head in the sand and ignoring the symptoms is probably not the best choice because Parkinson's is a highly treatable condition, and it is one that should be recognized and diagnosed if the sy
WXYZ •

Beaumont Health frontliners transform tough experiences into song

WXYZ — “You’re all they’ve got at the moment. Fear is what I see in their faces … I know we can’t bring comfort like a loved one would, or friend or family would.” Frontliners at Beaumont Health were given a safe space to talk about what they see and feel on a day-to-day basis as COVID-19 continues to upend so many of our lives. As the pandemic enters a third year, family and friends are grieving 33,000 Michiganders who were taken too soon because of a virus no one saw coming. Meanwhile, heal
WXYZ •

Metro Detroit joins fundraising campaign for metastatic breast cancer

WXYZ — "98% of the women who die from breast cancer, it's metastatic breast cancer ... when we look at all the money that's generated for breast cancer, only about 5% goes for metastatic research. And as I said, that's the one that kills you," Evie Boss told 7 Action News. That's how Laura Brown, the Executive Director and CEO of Gilda's Club Metro Detroit described Evie in an email. Evie is working tirelessly to get the word out about the #LightUpMBC fundraising campaign on Wednesday, October
WXYZ •

Red Wings announcer Ken Daniels to lead substance abuse forum

WXYZ — Experts considered substance abuse a public health crisis long before the COVID-19 pandemic even began. Fast forward to October 2021, and the problem is growing -- with first-time users getting even younger. Right here in Michigan, 30,000 teenagers meet the criteria for substance abuse. That's according to the latest data from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Even more unsettling? The federal agency says only about 2,000 of those teenagers are enrolled in t
WXYZ •

Every year, 42,000 women die from breast cancer in the U.S.

WXYZ — October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. All month long, 7 Action News is covering what you need to know about the second-most common cancer among women in the U.S. Let's start with the biggest risk factors: being a woman, especially age 50 or older, and any changes to your BRCA genes. Every year, around 255,000 women in the U.S. are diagnosed with breast cancer. Around 42,000 of those women die from the disease, according to the most recent data from the Centers for Disease Control an
WXYZ •

Powerful suicide prevention exhibit open today at Detroit Mercy

WXYZ — Did you know suicide is the second-leading cause of death among college students? The University of Detroit Mercy is on a mission to remove any stigmas attached to mental heath, and create conversations about suicide prevention. September is National Suicide Prevention Month. Today, September 16, the university is welcoming you to visit a powerful exhibit called Send Silence Packing. It was first displayed on the National Mall in Washington, DC back in 2008. Hundreds of backpacks are f
WXYZ •

Could you be the match?

A Romulus man and his family pray every day that a kidney donor will step up with blood 'Type A' -- and be the miracle they're desperately hoping to find. Roosevelt Williams is a husband and father of four. At the age of 19, Williams was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes despite living a very active life. The family man eventually developed hypertension. The two conditions combined were just too much for his kidneys to take. Today, Williams lives with Type 2 Diabetes and Stage 5 Kidney Failure.
WXYZ •

Some school districts in metro Detroit implement later start times this year

(WXYZ) — Tens of thousands of students across metro Detroit are going back to school on Tuesday, but it won't be the same old start time for thousands of those students. That's because many kids are getting the chance to sleep in later for the first time ever. Several school districts are moving forward with delayed start times this school year, including districts in Bloomfield Hills, Dearborn and Novi. Experts say the extra shuteye can make a world of difference for some students. Many lea
WXYZ •

What's driving the ref shortage in metro Detroit?

WXYZ — The ref shortage is growing across metro Detroit. It's a big problem with fall games around the corner, and dedicated athletes ready to compete. We found out there's two big factors driving refs to the sidelines. The first? Fears over COVID-19 have refs quitting the business -- or not returning at all. The second reason has been a problem for decades: parents and coaches, not playing nice with officials! Brent Rice, the Assistant Director of the Michigan High School Athletic Associatio
WXYZ •

Detroit police see rise in domestic violence calls during the pandemic

WXYZ — "Love is never supposed to hurt". Simple yet eye-opening words from a victim-turned-survivor, who's determined to be a guiding light for others. Treasure wants women and men who face domestic violence to know that now is the time to ask for help. "Never hesitate. You never know when it will be the right time. It may not ever be the right time, and you don't want to wait, and unfortunately it can be the last time." Domestic violence calls continue to surge during the pandemic. National
WXYZ •

ICYMI: Police departments take action for autism awareness

WXYZ — April is Autism Awareness Month, and police departments are jumping into action. Officers from Northvile, Troy and Ferndale are uniting to educate themselves and others -- with a top goal of taking the right approach while assisting people with autism. According to the Autism Alliance of Michigan, Michigan has the fifth largest autism population in the U.S. More than 16,500 students in Michigan have been diagnosed with autism. It's a developmental disorder that can impact how people co
WXYZ •

Creating a safe space for metro Detroit students with autism

WXYZ — Fredi The PizzaMan Foundation is hitting another home run for students with autism. Loved for his big heart and great pizza -- Fredi Bello continues to create smiles, and not just for David Portnoy. Thanks to the generosity of metro Detroit and beyond, Fredi The PizzaMan Foundation just equipped another school with a new sensory room. It's a safe space for students with autism to feel calm and decompress. The latest completed sensory room features more than $4,200 worth of equipment. It
WXYZ •

Support rolls in after bowling alley owner posts obituary for Westland business

WESTLAND, Mich. (WXYZ) — Support is pouring in for a bowling alley in Westland that was forced to close as part of the ongoing COVID-19 pause. The owner of Vision Lanes wrote an obituary for the alley and posted it on Facebook on Dec. 6. Steven Klein calls the bowling alley his baby. "She is barely conscious. She is dying slowly. She is watching her loyal staff and caretakers go find other sources of income because she can't provide for her family any longer," he wrote. "Her customers are find
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