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After she survived 17 days lost in Hawaiian wilderness, it's time to celebrate

Volunteers who helped find Amanda Eller are planning to celebrate at a barbecue celebration.

PAIA, Hawaii — Hundreds of volunteers who helped with the rescue of Amanda Eller will celebrate Monday at a barbecue bash.

On May 8, Eller walked on a trail in the Makawao Forest Reserve, about 12 miles from her home in Haiku. A helicopter contracted by her family found her in the forest reserve on May 24.

"It's time to celebrate!" a flyer reads about the barbecue on the Findamanda Facebook page.

Her mother told the Maui News that Eller survived by staying near a water source and eating wild raspberries and strawberry guavas. She even ate a couple of moths, Eller’s mom said.

Eller suffered a leg fracture and abrasions. She was also sunburnt and hungry, her family said.

Eller's LinkedIn profile says she was a physical therapist at Bayfront Health in St. Petersburg, a position she started in June 2014. Before working at Bayfront, her profile says she worked as the director of physical therapy services at U.S. HealthWorks in Tampa from August 2012 until June 2014.

Related: 'I chose life': Rescued hiker speaks after 2 weeks lost in Hawaii wilderness

Previous: How the aunt of once-missing hiker Amanda Eller heard the joyous news

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