One of Tiffany Switzer’s favorite things to do is help other people.

In fact, she thrives on it. Switzer, 38, is a certified nursing assistant at LIFE Butler County. She has been at that profession for nearly 20 years, but now, Switzer is in need of assistance herself.

The Butler resident was diagnosed with Stage 4 breast cancer a few weeks ago.

“She’s just a loving, caring person,” co-worker Terri Bester said. “Tiffany treats the people she cares for here like family. She goes above and beyond to see that they’re taken care of.”

That includes making home visits, doing laundry, cleaning house, assisting them with the shower — whatever is needed.

“She goes out at night just to put someone in-need to bed,” neighbor Monique Stapel said. “This woman gives and gives and gives.”

She also has cancer in her bones, and spots have been discovered on her liver and lungs. Switzer recently underwent chemotherapy for the first time, and her insurance has yet to cover her expenses.

“I’m not sure what all lies ahead,” Switzer said. “They’re still doing tests and consultations.”

A single mother to 11-year-old Declan, Switzer and her son are living with her mother, Cindy Stobert.

“We decided to move in together two years ago,” Stobert said. “She was struggling, I was out of work and was going to struggle. We wanted to work together to give her son the best life we could.

“Cancer has been running rampant in our family. I lost an aunt to liver cancer, I have an uncle with an inoperable cancer, my brother was diagnosed with prostate cancer … I was preparing to go back to work, then we were hit with this boulder (Switzer’s diagnosis). I want to take care of Tiffany and Declan.”

Friends and co-workers have rallied behind Switzer. Stapel has set up a GoFundMe page, entitled Tiffany’s Army, that has already raised $4,170. Bester and LIFE Butler County have organized a benefit spaghetti dinner at the Sons and Daughters of Italy Lodge 1664 on Main Street in Butler.

That dinner is scheduled for Dec. 6. The fundraiser runs from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., while dinner is from noon to 5 p.m. Tickets are $10.

A 50-50 raffle, basket raffles and bake sale will accompany the dinner.

“We’re looking to have 100 baskets available that day,” Bester said. “All of the workers at LIFE Butler are putting baskets together.

“We’re going up and down Main Street, even beyond that, looking for donations, baskets, gift cards, anything. Everybody’s signing up for this. The community is coming together for Tiffany, and it’s a beautiful thing to see.”

Stapel said the goal of the GoFundMe page is $20,000.

“Tiffany is the last person who would want this kind of fuss,” she said, “this kind of effort to raise money for her bills.

“Too bad. She deserves the support, and she’s getting it.”

Switzer has been forced to cut her work schedule back to one or two days per week.

“I go in when I’m physically up to it,” Switzer said. “I know the day’s going come when I just won’t be able to do it. That’s the hardest part about this. I don’t want to let anybody down.”

Stapel has been spending hours walking up and down Main Street, dropping off flyers she produced to downtown businesses, informing them about the upcoming dinner and the GoFundMe page.

Stapel met Switzer through their sons. Stapel’s 11-year-old, Rylee Stephens, and Declan play together often. Stapel and Switzer have developed a tight friendship over the past couple of years.

“It’s more than friendship,” Stapel said. “We’re sisters. I feel like I’m an extension of their family. I can walk over there, walk into their house, no one would bat an eye.”

Stobert agreed.

“She’s amazing,” Stobert said of Stapel. “I feel like she’s a second daughter to me. The time and effort she’s putting in to help Tiffany is incredible.

Stapel shrugs it off.

“Getting the word out is the biggest deal,” she said. “We’re using social media, the newspaper, radio, everything we can.

“Tiffany is the most giving person I know. She would do anything for anybody. She has, time and time again. It’s time for it to swing back to her. Believe me, nobody deserves it more.”