Greetings!

My name is Anthony (Tony) Fairbanks, with a multitude of illnesses including cancer, heart disease, autoimmune disease, adrenal insufficiency and diabetes. My most recent challenges have been two heart attacks and terminal cancer (past stage 4 and metastasized in my abdomen and lungs). As the former sole financial supporter of my young family, I cannot work anymore due to my health issues. Prior to my illness, I had an extensive career in school administration in Minnesota, New Mexico and South Dakota. I enjoyed a great career of working with Native American communities for 38 years. A long-time advocate of education, I was a school district superintendent for 15 years, a university associate professor, elementary principal and high school football coach. As superintendent, I frequently advocated for additional funding for Native education; and helped build three elementary schools, a football & track stadium, and the first Career Technical Education High School on an Indian Reservation in the United States. Prior to administering education, I was also the youngest executive director of the American Heart Association for the states of Alaska at the age of 26 and Montana at the age of 30. I earned my Doctorate degree in Educational Policy, and a Master’s in Education from the University of Minnesota. My wife, Deanna and I met during our Master’s program in Duluth. My Bachelors is from Central Michigan University, playing on the 1979 and 1980 conference championship teams (undefeated 1979 season); being inducted into the university’s Hall of Fame in 2019 with my football teammates and coaches. I grew up on the Red Lake Indian Reservation in Minnesota and went to high school at Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. My wife and I are currently raising our two children in South Dakota. The medical bills keep adding up. We greatly appreciate your prayers and donations! God bless you!