Neil's Care Campaign

My name is Kristin Kerr Gannon and I am organizing this GoFundMe on behalf of a friend and colleague, Neil Anderson. Neil was my Principal and mentor from 2017-2022.

In 2017, Neil moved from Oregon to Colorado to lead Monarch High. Neil's been an integral part of our school community ever since! As Principal, Neil led our school through the Covid pandemic and the Marshall fire disaster- and we are forever indebted to his steadfast leadership and care for our community. Louisville and Superior families welcomed his positive and supportive weekly messages on the Monarch Messenger. This fall, Neil started a new job as the BVSD Executive Director of the Southwest Network of Schools, broadening his leadership reach in our community.

This January, a large tumor was discovered in Neil's pelvis. Neil and his wife, Martha, traveled to Johns Hopkins and The Mayo Clinic to meet with specialists and develop a care plan. A biopsy revealed Neil has Myxoid Liposarcoma, a rare and complex cancer that requires chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery. Neil's health care plan will be extensive and expensive.

Neil's family includes his wife Martha, his daughter Catherine (a freshman at ASU), his son Leif (a junior at Monarch High), and his daughter Sina (a 7th grader at Monarch K 8 School). Although the Andersons are a private family and initially reluctant to crowdfunding, they understand the strength and importance of being on the giving and receiving end of care and concern. With your help, this care campaign will help lessen their out-of-pocket financial commitments associated with medical care, hospital bills, hotel stays, travel, and other unexpected costs associated with Neil’s treatment.

Together, as a community, we have endured hard things. I hope we can come together to support Neil and the Anderson family during Neil’s health journey. Thank you, and ‘Sko Yotes!

A message from Martha:

My husband, Neil, is a pretty remarkable human. He gives all he has to his community, and lucky us, he has even more to give to our children, me, and his family. If I were an odds-playing gambler, I would bet against Neil ever receiving a cancer diagnosis, let alone an exceedingly rare and aggressive one. But, I’m a terrible gambler, and here we are.

The hopeful news is that Neil’s Myxoid Liposarcoma is responsive to treatment. And Neil is ready for ALL of the treatment! Neil begins with 9 - 12 weeks of chemotherapy at Anschutz in Colorado. Then he heads to the Mayo Clinic for five weeks of radiation. Following a post-radiation respite of 4-6 weeks, he will undergo a complex pelvic surgery to remove the tumor, also at the Mayo Clinic. We plan to be in Rochester for at least nine weeks with the radiation and surgery, making a home away from home for comfort and healing while we are there.

Neil’s journey toward healing will be long. It will be arduous. And it IS expensive. So many are asking how you can help us, and helping us offset some of our out-of-pocket medical and travel expenses would be incredibly helpful. We are deeply touched by the outpouring of support and love to our family in the various ways we have received thus far. Your meals nourish us. Your prayers, notes of support, encouraging texts, and simple, “I love yous” sustain us. Most importantly, we know we are not alone. Thank you for being on this journey with us.

With gratitude,

Martha