Libby comes together in time of need
<p>Kevin Sanderson benefit with auctioneer Lonnie Fosgate at the microphone.</p>
The world today is filled with divisiveness. Arguments about religion, politics, economics and a plethora of other things dominate headlines.
In the midst of such large-scale division, though, Libby is a community that can, and does, come together to take care of its own. That sense of community, of caring, was evidenced by Saturday’s benefit for Libby local Kevin Sanderson and his family in their battle with cancer.
The story begins in October 2014, when Kevin was diagnosed with colon cancer. He underwent surgery in November, but that surgery revealed that the cancer had spread further than his doctors had originally thought. Due to that spread, Kevin was prescribed a chemotherapy regimen for treatment.
Every two weeks Kevin drives to Kalispell for his chemotherapy treatment. Doctors there hook him up to a pump that measures out his treatment over the course of three days. It is then disconnected by his local physician.
Due to the nature of the illness and the treatment, though, Kevin is unable to work. With a wife and three young children at home, it is not only the significant cost of the medical care, but also the loss of income that hurts Kevin and the Sanderson family.
When he learned of the situation, Kevin’s life-long friend Darren Short entered the picture. He contacted Kevin’s brother Byron and started organizing a benefit event to help raise money for Kevin’s family. Between Short and Kevin’s siblings, Byron, Leslie Jaqueth and Julie Brossman, a benefit was planned and scheduled.
That event happened Saturday night at the Veterans of Foreign Wars bar in Libby. With a raffle, auction and ticket sales, the event raised thousands of dollars to help the Sanderson family with bills and medical expenses.
“We live in a fantastic community,” said Byron Sanderson. “There’s zero hesitation to reach out and help when someone’s in need here.”
The exact amount raised through the event and numerous private donations is as yet unkown, but is estimated in the tens of thousands of dollars.
Byron’s wife Chelsea, who also helped with the event, praised the community for their involvement. Fighting through tears she said, “It really was very cool. There was so much love and support for Kevin’s family in that little room. Honestly, words can’t describe what happened that night. Our community needs to be thanked. We don’t have a whole lot sometimes, but Libby always comes together for each other. We are truly blessed in that way.”