Community aids local family through feed drive

Andrea Anderson was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia in March of 2018. AML is a very aggressive form of Leukemia which is treated over a six to eight month course.

According to those who owns  her, Anders continued to persevere with undeniable strength through CT scans, MRI’s, and countless spinal taps.

Her second round of chemo began in the middle of April, which was followed by another four to six week stay in the hospital.

As Anderson continues to fight her battle with cancer, her two older brothers and two younger sisters are trying to maintain their household and take care of their farm animals. But due to the mounting medical costs, the children are forced to make the hard decision of selling their animals.

The Anderson’s story began to circulate around the community. Erin Blevins, employee at The Mill, stated, “They are such a kind family and I felt helpless in their struggle.” Blevins was so touched by the family’s story that she “felt like I needed to do something.”

Blevins was compelled to help in aiding the family, “I heard that the two youngest Anderson girls may have to sell some 4H animals and it got me thinking.  If we could help out with the feed then the kids could keep their animals.”

Blevins then set up a fundraiser for customers of The Mill or community members to donate to the Anderson family to pay for their feed costs so their children can keep their animals.

During Anderson’s treatments, one parent was always by her side at all times, but this lead to a decrease to the household income.

Disheartened, Blevins declared, “I just thought maybe this would help the younger girls and Andreas parents to have a little less to worry about and they could focus on Andrea.”

Customers and community members are eager to help the family Blevins says, “I have had a positive response from everyone who has learned about the fundraiser.  Everyone is willing to help in anyway they can.”

Through the 4-H community, Blevins could connect with the Anderson’s due to their dedicated involvement, “My oldest son shows cattle with Leah one of Andreas younger sisters.  Emily was also a co-leader of a skillathon 4h group we attended. They are a very kind and giving family. They are a family we didn’t know very well a year ago but now I would give them anything they needed because I know they would do the same for any of us.”

Emily Anderson, mother of Andrea, stated, “ We are truly touched by the outpouring of support from our community, family, friends and total strangers. We never in a million years expected anything on this level to be organized for our family.”

Emily Anderson continues to thank the farming community stating how this act of kindness proves that, “the farming community sticks together and is more than willing to help out another family when in need. We can’t thank our 4-H and the Mill enough for this generous show of support for our family.”

This act of kindness has inspired other community organizations to help the family Emily states, “We are so thankful for everything that people have offered to do and the meals were a blessing for the kids when I wasn’t here to cook for them. Everyone has been so kind and thoughtful.”

Emily also gave an update on the current conditions of Anderson’s treatment, “Andrea is responding to the chemotherapy. It is a very aggressive treatment, but was necessary in order to kill the cancer cells.”

Anderson is still at Johns Hopkins waiting for her white blood cell count to rise while battling colitis.

Emily states, “She continues to  persevere and move forward despite the pain and obstacles in her way. She is able to do this due to all the people supporting her in this journey. She has been shown that nobody fights this battle alone.”

If you are compelled to help and want to donate, at this time this is the only fundraiser for the family, you can go to any Mill location and donate any amount of money and every penny will go into an account for the Anderson family.