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For those very few of you on this planet who have not met Mr. William “Bill” Anderson, you are missing the opportunity to engage with one exceptional individual. Bill has been one of my best friends for nearly 20 years- I consider him close family, someone who regardless of the issue or task- has always been there at the drop of a hat. Bill has a unique personality, one that forces people to gravitate to him… creating friendships that last for many, many years.
Bill currently lives in Hammond, Wisconsin with his wife Kelly (much too hot for him), sons Hunter (16) and Jacob (12) and their 4-legged buddy “Mac”. Bill’s passion has always been law enforcement and this lead to his long career as head security officer at Andersen’s Corporate Offices in Oak Park Heights Minnesota.
In 2004, Bill stopped by my desk and mentioned that he was biking in the MS 150 and was looking to put a team together. I said “Why…do you know someone with MS?” His response was “no…but it looks like fun and a great charity so c’mon, let’s do this!” I said “how about I just give you money, and drive behind you in the truck?” He quickly assembled a small team and completed the MS150. This was the beginning of his unwavering dedication to raising money to finding a cure for multiple sclerosis. Again, at the time, he knew of no one personally with MS. Within a couple years, Bill was the captain of Team Andersen for the MS150…a team consisting of well over 100 riders! Amazing! Bill’s dedication to this charity ultimately won him the Andersen Corporation “Don Garofalo Volunteer Service” award in 2009 (he was also nominated in 2010 & 2013). This award is given to an active Andersen Corporation employee who demonstrates a strong commitment to the community through volunteerism and is graded on a scale of 1-5 based on Commitment, Achievement, Innovation, and On-going Involvement. A $4,000 donation was made to the MS Society on Bill’s behalf.
On May 10th, 2011 something quite shocking happened. Bill was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. The same disease he had dedicated himself 100%, bringing attention to and raising thousands of dollars for finding a cure. What? This person who became known as “Mr. MS150” now actually has the disease? Is there even a word for this? I have not found one…at least not one I can write here.
Over the last four years, Bill has tried several different disease modifying drugs only to find over time they were unsuccessful. This terrible disease continues to progress into his spine and his brain. Each day it becomes more difficult for Bill to get out of bed, walk and do the most basic things we all take for granted. Getting to work became such a challenge, that in April of this year, Bill made the very difficult decision to resign from his security post at Andersen Corporation to focus on his health and his family.
Bill’s status has now reached a critical tipping point. If the disease progresses much further, he most likely will not be eligible for a breakthrough new stem cell procedure that is proving to have great success. This procedure first involves harvesting his stem cells, then resetting his immune system through chemotherapy to get rid of the damaging cells that are attacking his body. Finally, his stem cells are reintroduced to jump-start his immune system.
This stem cell procedure is still in clinical trials within the US and virtually impossible to get “on the list” to have it done. Fortunately, Bill was recently notified that he was selected for this stem cell procedure at a highly reputable health clinic in Mexico. He will be staying in Mexico an estimated 8 weeks during this time.
The cost of this treatment is a whopping $60,000+. Of course, insurance will not be covering the procedure. I am asking for your support to help raise as much money as possible to support Bill and his family during this time. Bill has carried the MS150 flag, raising money day in and day out to find a cure for this disease. It’s now time for all of us to pull together and raise enough funds to cover the cost of a proven stem cell procedure, bringing back the quality of life Bill, Kelly, Hunter & Jacob deserve.
Thank you for your support!!
One of Bill’s many, many best friends,
-The Atomic Mule
Bill currently lives in Hammond, Wisconsin with his wife Kelly (much too hot for him), sons Hunter (16) and Jacob (12) and their 4-legged buddy “Mac”. Bill’s passion has always been law enforcement and this lead to his long career as head security officer at Andersen’s Corporate Offices in Oak Park Heights Minnesota.
In 2004, Bill stopped by my desk and mentioned that he was biking in the MS 150 and was looking to put a team together. I said “Why…do you know someone with MS?” His response was “no…but it looks like fun and a great charity so c’mon, let’s do this!” I said “how about I just give you money, and drive behind you in the truck?” He quickly assembled a small team and completed the MS150. This was the beginning of his unwavering dedication to raising money to finding a cure for multiple sclerosis. Again, at the time, he knew of no one personally with MS. Within a couple years, Bill was the captain of Team Andersen for the MS150…a team consisting of well over 100 riders! Amazing! Bill’s dedication to this charity ultimately won him the Andersen Corporation “Don Garofalo Volunteer Service” award in 2009 (he was also nominated in 2010 & 2013). This award is given to an active Andersen Corporation employee who demonstrates a strong commitment to the community through volunteerism and is graded on a scale of 1-5 based on Commitment, Achievement, Innovation, and On-going Involvement. A $4,000 donation was made to the MS Society on Bill’s behalf.
On May 10th, 2011 something quite shocking happened. Bill was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. The same disease he had dedicated himself 100%, bringing attention to and raising thousands of dollars for finding a cure. What? This person who became known as “Mr. MS150” now actually has the disease? Is there even a word for this? I have not found one…at least not one I can write here.
Over the last four years, Bill has tried several different disease modifying drugs only to find over time they were unsuccessful. This terrible disease continues to progress into his spine and his brain. Each day it becomes more difficult for Bill to get out of bed, walk and do the most basic things we all take for granted. Getting to work became such a challenge, that in April of this year, Bill made the very difficult decision to resign from his security post at Andersen Corporation to focus on his health and his family.
Bill’s status has now reached a critical tipping point. If the disease progresses much further, he most likely will not be eligible for a breakthrough new stem cell procedure that is proving to have great success. This procedure first involves harvesting his stem cells, then resetting his immune system through chemotherapy to get rid of the damaging cells that are attacking his body. Finally, his stem cells are reintroduced to jump-start his immune system.
This stem cell procedure is still in clinical trials within the US and virtually impossible to get “on the list” to have it done. Fortunately, Bill was recently notified that he was selected for this stem cell procedure at a highly reputable health clinic in Mexico. He will be staying in Mexico an estimated 8 weeks during this time.
The cost of this treatment is a whopping $60,000+. Of course, insurance will not be covering the procedure. I am asking for your support to help raise as much money as possible to support Bill and his family during this time. Bill has carried the MS150 flag, raising money day in and day out to find a cure for this disease. It’s now time for all of us to pull together and raise enough funds to cover the cost of a proven stem cell procedure, bringing back the quality of life Bill, Kelly, Hunter & Jacob deserve.
Thank you for your support!!
One of Bill’s many, many best friends,
-The Atomic Mule