Community rallies support around Chappell Anderson
Chappell Anderson’s daily routine changed dramatically a month ago.
Over the course of several weeks, she had started to notice symptoms of extreme fatigue, enlarged lymph nodes, severe bruises and bleeding. On April 5, she was admitted to UAB after visiting a hematologist. Following several days of testing, she was diagnosed with blood and bone marrow diseases chronic lymphocytic leukemia and large B cell lymphoma.
Anderson has not been home since then due to treatment, but her community has closely surrounded her day in and day out.
Meal plans for her family on Take Them A Meal quickly filled up through the end of July. Fellow teachers at Preschool Partners sold yard signs that say “Partnering in prayer for Chappell” for a minimum donation of $5 to help cover Anderson’s medical expenses. They raised more than $500 in one day alone.
“A couple of us collaborated on a way to support Chappell because means so much to school and to all of us,” Loretta Keller said. “She always goes the extra mile to make whatever we are doing or teaching be extra special for the children.”
Friend Ashley Tamucci’s daily updates on her Caringbridge.com page not only chronicle her medical progress but also voice Anderson’s encouragement toward those who love her to continue to enjoy the Preschool Partners Food Truck Roundup in late April and a benefit held in her honor at The Pants Store, where she works part time.
“Chappell is touched, and frankly overwhelmed, by the support of our friends and family,” Tamucci wrote before the Pants Store event. “I know it seems weird to go out and shop, eat, and drink while she is in the hospital. She says ‘party on!’”
Many people sent pictures and videos or even face timed Anderson during the event to show her their smiling faces.
Tamucci also noted on the site how much Anderson loves and misses her three-year-old students at Preschool Partners. A fellow teacher sends videos from her classroom, and her students’ families collected money to give Miss Chappell.
But Anderson’s biggest frustration now is missing her own children, who visit often but stay busy with school and extracurricular activities.
Anderson began chemo treatments on April 15 with anticipation of inpatient hospitalization for the first 21 days. From there, she should undergo four days of chemo every three weeks barring any complications in between rounds. The treatments should take four to six months to complete.
To keep up with Chappell’s condition, visit caringbridge.org/visit/chappellanderson. Donations for her medical treatment can be made at the Crestline branch of Regions Bank: Chappell Anderson Medical Fund, c/o Regions Bank, 2721 Culver Road, Birmingham, AL 35223. Preschool Partners’ office also has a cash jar for parking fees for when her family visits UAB. To purchase a yard sign, contact Preschool Partners at info@preschool-partners.org.