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No. 15 Vol. 8
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www.theblackrivernews.com
August 2017
July Renamed Princess Anya Month, Fundraisers Continue To Benefit Chester Girl Battling Leukemia
By Dawn M Chiossi ecently residents in Chester went out in droves for the most heartwarming of causes: To rally around a little girl with leukemia. Mayors Janet Hoven and Marcia Asdal renamed the month of July Princess Anya the Overcomer Month. On July 5, Hoven and Asdal signed the declaration honoring 10 year old Chester resident, Anya LeFrancis. LeFrancis has not only had to battle leukemia once, but is now doing it bravely and courageously for the second time. At a time when most kids are only thinking about summer and vacation, LeFrancis recently underwent a bone marrow transplant, courtesy of the DKMS organization, a non-profit bone marrow registry. Everyone knows that July has many feel good
qualities associated with it: ice cream, sunshine, summer days, and lazy temperatures. Now, with Chester’s Princess Anya Month and Taylor’s Ice Cream Parlor fundraiser, people will think of July as synonymous with strength, courage and resilience. DKMS is dedicated to battling blood cancer, in the hopes of eviscerating it. Hoven claims that the whole concept of Princess Anya the Overcomer Month came from DKMS Community Engagement Manager Melanie Freeman. “She asked me to prepare the proclamation and support the cause, which I happily did,” Hoven says. “It was such an easy ask,” Freeman interjects. “I am so impressed and so grateful that everyone rallied around Anya without hesitation.” Freeman says that LeFrancis isn’t just a plucky
fighter; she’s just like any 10 year old girl out there. “She loves movies, people, music and makeup,” says Freeman. “She’s a real girly-girl. There’s so much about Anya that people gravitate to, that they respond to. On meeting Anya people think that she can be your daughter, your sister, your friend.” On the day the proclamation was signed, crowds of all sorts gathered to support LeFrancis and this great cause. LeFrancis herself was even there for a little while, as she likes to get out at least once a week. In a proud moment, LeFrancis was even given a medal by the members of the police department. So just how did LeFrancis react to this outpouring of affection and support from the town? According to Freeman who was sitting by her during the town’s proclamation, “She was overwhelmed and happy. She just couldn’t believe it. The look on her face just said, ‘this is for me?’ Her medal meant so much to her. “It was an amazing, truly awe-inspiring sight,” continues Freeman, “to see the whole community of Chester support Anya. So many people came up to
me after she had left: parents, children, kids, saying how they were all affected by her.” Additionally Princess Anya the Overcomer Month was enhanced by the ice cream fundraiser given by Chester’s Taylor’s Ice Cream Parlor. Flavors were named “Anya’s Strong Strawberry” and Anya’s Victorious Vanilla. All proceeds from the sales went to DKMS to help in the fight against leukemia. The event was so popular, that folks went to Taylor’s specifically to ask for LeFrancis’s special ice cream flavors. Proceeds from the fundraiser are still being tallied, but the numbers are sure to be impressive: more than 800 scoops of ice cream were sold! “It was great,” was a sentiment heard over and over. “What a great excuse to eat ice cream,” someone else quipped. And the folks at Taylor’s were so affected, so enthusiastic, that even though the July ice cream fundraiser is now officially over, people can still donate to DKMS. Just place a donation in one of the collection baskets at the ice cream parlor. During “Princess Anya Month,” Chester residents and borough employees
were encouraged to participate in the cause of leukemia awareness and raise money for leukemia and blood cancer research. The town of Chester is planning a vast amount of fundraisers in the future to continue benefiting this worthy cause and bring hope to others. “This is only the first of many,” Freeman says. “It is all an ongoing process.” Calendars are full, and people of all ages wish to get involved! Upcoming fundraisers and events include a fall festival slated for September, various restaurant fundraisers, night walks and even children donating money from their lemonade stands. Freeman is quick to answer on just how much
people are more aware now of leukemia because of LeFrancis’s inspiration, how she touched the hearts of the people. “We want to register more people to be donors,” Freeman states. “It’s so important for folks of all ethnicities. Since Anya is multi-racial, a match was more of a challenge, but not impossible. Getting screened for a bone marrow match is easy. It’s as simple as getting a cheek swabbed. We really want to debunk some of those frightening myths out there about bone marrow donation.” In giving a second chance at life, donation is truly the gift that keeps on giving. “We want people to see continued on page 3