Saphire Anderson

Meet Amy Pass's second cousin, Saphire Anderson, who is battling the same blood disease Amy's mom Cheryl Slater had.

Saphire's dad and Amy's cousin, Daniel (Spider) Anderson, was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia MDS (Myelodysplastic Syndrome) on Sept. 25th of 2012. Spider has undergone chemotherapy, radiation, bone marrow transplant, and several life-saving surgeries due to complications. He just passed his 100 day check-up, and is doing well! 

Unfortunately, his daughter, Saphire, was also diagnosed with MDS, and recently underwent a bone marrow transplant at Mayo in June 2013. 

Levi, Daniel's 9 year old son, was also diagnosed with MDS, and is expected to undergo a bone marrow transplant sometime around November 2013. 

Daniel was self-employed and has already been unable to work full time for more than 8 months. His wife, Jackie, has taken an extended leave of absence from her job with Webster Public Schools in order to care for her family. Austin, Daniel's 16-year-old son, spent some time in MN while Daniel was undergoing treatment and is now back home in SD, helping his dad take care of things at home while Saphire is at Mayo.

Amy, her cousin Jenn Johnson and I took a trip down to visit with Saphire and her mother Jackie in late June. We were so impressed by these two amazing women! They have such strength and courage.

Saphire and her little brother on her first trip out of the hospital in Rochester

Sapphire and her aunt Deanna, who shaved her head in support of her brother Danny and of Saphire. In a few weeks, Deanna begins her own treatment.

Saphire, about a week into her chemotherapy treatment in preparation for her bone marrow transplant. We went down with a selection of Team Yarn hats in her favorite color blue, and let her pick her favorites.

FAVORITE COLOR
blue

FAVORITE SONG
“Fall” by Clay Walker

FAVORITE QUOTE
It don't get better, you just get better at handling it.

DESCRIBE YOURSELF IN 3 WORDS
Short, positive, and strong.

IF YOU COULD TAKE A TRAIN TRIP ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD, WHERE W0ULD YOU WANT TO GO? WHY?
Australia, to see all the interesting animals and the way people live.

IF YOU COULD NAME A MOUNTAIN AFTER ANYONE, WHOM WOULD YOU CHOOSE? WHY?
My dad. Because life is a climb but he made it to the top.

WHERE IS YOUR FAVORITE PLACE TO SPEND A RAINY DAY?
My farm

WHAT IS THE BEST THING ABOUT LIVING IN A SMALL TOWN IN SOUTH DAKOTA?
Knowing everyone and everywhere.

IF YOU COULD CREATE YOUR OWN VANITY PLATE USING 8 LETTERS OR NUMBERS, WHAT WOULD IT SAY?
Strength

Kelli McCully sent Amy and I this note yesterday:

As promised, the pics of D., the woman who received the hat I made early on in Team Yarn's existence (my second or third hat, I believe). She also sent me a lovely note. In case you can't read it: 

"Thank you so much for your thoughtfulness and 'above and beyond' the call for people you've never met. The cap was such a day brightener & I love the color - also very comfortable. Work you do for cancer patients not only helps raise self esteem but keeps our heads warm." 

Well, she warms my heart. My friend who had requested the hat said that when he delivered it, she immediately removed whatever she had on her head and declared her new hat much softer and wore it instead.