CARIEVALE - Brittnee Annetts, a young woman from Carievale, received devastating news in April that she had been diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, a cancer that affected the lymphatic system, the part of the body that fights off germs.
Cancer – what a terrible word.
She did receive some reassurance. Treatment of this type of cancer has a fairly high success rate. But still, it was cancer and it meant a minimum of four chemotherapy treatments. It also meant taking a leave of absence from her teaching job in Dickenson, North Dakota and greatly reducing her interaction with people due to her body’s weakened immune system.
As word of her illness began to get around, people from Carievale and beyond began asking what they could do to help. Jen Henderson put a committee together to hold a fundraiser on Brittnee’s behalf. Burgers For Brittnee was the result and the date was set for June 19.
The response was overwhelming. Businesses and individuals donated all the food – hamburgers, hot dogs, salads, ice cream. Many came forward with donations for a silent auction. Tables were filled with items that people could bid on.
The big day arrived. The fundraiser took place in the Carievale Community Hall and about 250 people arrived to show their support. Brittnee would have loved to be there, but she had just finished her 4th treatment a few days earlier and the risk of infection was just too great.
As the fundraiser came to an end, people started heading home. They had enjoyed mouth-watering food; they had contributed to a really good cause; and many went home with great prizes. But it was Brittnee who enjoyed the best prize, knowing that she belonged to a community that was so eager to be there for her during this difficult time in her life.
