Community Support Builds for Williston North Dakota Radio DJ

In the media, we often receive requests to help share both good news and difficult stories. This one, however, feels especially personal. It involves a friend, a former co-worker, and someone many in Williston and western North Dakota know and love.

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From Morning Smiles to a New Challenge: “Mad Max” Needs Community Support

If you know Erin Hotchkiss—better known as “Mad Max” from Dakota Country 96.1’s Big Butt Morning Show—you know exactly the kind of person she is. Erin is the one who shows up when it matters most. She’s the voice that makes you laugh on even your toughest days, the friend who gives without hesitation, and someone whose kindness leaves a lasting impact on everyone she meets.

Now, Erin needs that same support in return.

What started as a routine dental visit quickly turned into something far more serious. During a standard teeth cleaning, her dentist noticed an unusual lesion on the bottom of her tongue. After further evaluation, Erin was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma of the mouth—a diagnosis that no one ever expects to hear.

She is scheduled to travel to the Mayo Clinic on April 7th and 8th for her initial appointments with a specialized care team. Even before treatment begins, the financial weight is already overwhelming. Required prepayments alone present a significant burden, and that’s before factoring in surgery, recovery, and the many unknowns that come with battling cancer.

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Erin has spent years lifting others up—through her work on the air, her volunteer efforts, and the joy she brings into people’s lives every single day. Now, it’s our turn to stand behind her.

A GoFundMe benefit account has been set up to help ease the financial strain, allowing Erin to focus on what matters most: fighting, healing, and getting back to the life she loves. Let’s rally around Erin and remind her she’s not alone. Because if you know Erin, you know without a doubt—she would do the same for all of us in a heartbeat.