Survivor brings hope to others

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By JEFF HAWKINS

jhawkins@nwherald.com

Just when his adult life was really starting, Andy Hanson heard a doctor say it could soon come to a tragic end.

At 22 years old and preparing to graduate from Truman State University in Missouri, the Crystal Lake native was diagnosed with cancer on June 10, 1994.

"I had just come home [from college] and was ready to look for a job," Hanson said.

In the preceding months, however, he started to feel sluggish, exhausted from completing tasks he used to accomplish with ease. He fell ill during a summer internship.

Several doctor visits later, Hanson received the unsettling news from Northwestern University doctors.

"It took them a couple of days to diagnose the leukemia," said Hanson, now 33, a husband and a father. "That was the toughest time."

Over the next year, the former Crystal Lake South soccer player endured "intensive chemotherapy." About a year later, doctors confirmed Hanson overcame the disease that attacks the body's white blood cells.

He has been in remission since May 1996.

During his fight, Hanson and his family organized Andy's Chapter of Hope of the Leukemia Research Foundation. Since October 1995, the organization has raised more than $530,000 to aid research and supply financial assistance to leukemia patients and their families.

It also delivers educational and emotional support and initiates bone marrow drives.

"We try to provide whatever support we can, talking to families and them get through this difficult time," said Hanson, who serves as the chapter's president. "Fighting leukemia definitely has changed my life."

Andy's Chapter of Hope relies on two annual functions to fulfill its agenda of donations.

One is the Holiday Soccer Tournament, which begins Thursday at Regional Sports Center in Crystal Lake. The second is a golf outing that is scheduled for July 18 at RedTail Golf Club in Lakewood.

"You know how other families are struggling with the same thing I did," Hanson said. "It definitely feels good to give back."

With entries still arriving, Hanson said around 30 to 40 youth soccer teams will participate Thursday, along with about 120 adult players.

"The chapter is growing every year," Hanson said. "We're always looking to increase our number of sponsors in our events."

Thankful for the outside assistance they received, Hanson and his family started Andy's Chapter of Hope.

"We really had the support of friends and the community, people we didn't even know," Hanson said. "It really helped. They donated money and would bring over meals. They helped us and we needed it. That's why we started the chapter.

"It is an honor to work with dedicated and hard-working individuals. Without their help, I would not be where I am today - a survivor."