Hi, my name is Carly and my beloved dad, Kerry Anders, passed suddenly & unexpectedly on March 22nd after a medical emergency. I’ve created this fundraiser on behalf of my mom, Sue Anders, to help offset the financial burden of medical bills and end-of-life expenses so that my family can continue to focus on healing from the emotional toll of this unthinkable loss.

Unbeknownst to many, Kerry was diagnosed with lung cancer in July 2025. When it was discovered that the mass on his lung was inoperable, Kerry and his team of lung specialists and oncologists devised an aggressive treatment plan with the intent to cure— what followed was 9 weeks of chemotherapy & daily radiation treatments: an exhausting and expensive ordeal.

When chemo & radiation ended, Kerry shifted to immunotherapy, and a steroid regimen. He dutifully sat through dozens of appointments, X-rays, CAT & PET scans without complaint— and as anyone can tell you, Kerry loathed the doctor. Within a few months, however, he’d also suffered through two cases of pneumonia, with multi-day hospital inpatient stays.

What many more may not realize is that, in early 2026, my mom, Sue, lost her job unexpectedly. As the primary earner of the family for years, and sole breadwinner throughout Kerry’s treatment, this was a devastating blow for both the family’s finances & insurance coverage. As her head and heart have the necessary time and space to heal following this loss, Sue continues her search for new employment.

Kerry’s final days were spent at Carroll Hospital, where, after a terrifying early morning 911 call and ambulance trip on Thursday March 19th, a phenomenal team of doctors & nurses in the Critical Care Unit treated him for yet another case of pneumonia, and an unforeseen blood clot. On the road to recovery, with oxygen, a treatment plan, and intent to discharge on Monday, March 23, he had been moved off the CCU floor early Sunday morning before the unthinkable happened: Kerry suddenly coded after massive hemoptysis, and went into cardiac arrest. We will be forever grateful to the dozens of doctors & nurses that rushed to his side and did all they could to perform lifesaving measures for 50 minutes.

In the end, it was confirmed that my dad’s cancer had never grown or spread, and that his treatments had in fact shrunk the mass on his lung— which is to say, in this "battle", his cancer did not win. A two-time heart attack survivor & quadruple bypass patient, Kerry’s heart— as open, giving, and unconditionally loving as we all knew it to be— and compromised lungs simply could not recover. Still, his compassion and generosity live on even now: saving and improving countless lives through the gift of organ & tissue donation.

Now, grieving the impossibly heartbreaking loss of a father, husband, and beloved pillar of the community, our family must also face looming medical and unexpected end-of-life expenses as the bills have begun to roll in.

Kerry was renowned for his generosity, selflessness, compassion, and warmth. He gave endlessly, helped without question, and supported his family, friends, and communities without hesitation. He never asked for anything, but we are humble and hopeful in this moment that we can graciously lean on the communities he loved for support during an unimaginably difficult time.

A celebration of Kerry's life will take place on his birthday, May 22nd, at our family's home.

You can read Kerry’s obituary, and learn more about the man he was & legacy he leaves, here: Kerry Anders