IONIA, Mich., — Terri Irwin doesn’t think twice about helping a friend in need. After hearing neighbors Lenny and Heather Anderson were struggling with two daughters fighting different conditions, she immediately decided to step in.
“Since I’ve known them for years, I just decided to help. They needed it and I was there for them,” Irwin told FOX 17 News. “I enjoy helping others before helping myself.”
Irwin has launched a campaign to help the two girls. Samantha Anderson, 10, had been diagnosed with cystic fibrosis. Her older sister, Ali, 16, has Wilson’s Disease. Her parents say the condition destroyed her liver in a matter of months. The teen recently underwent a liver transplant at Mott’s Children’s Hospital in Ann Arbor, but will still need weeks to recover.
Donation jars have been placed around business in Ionia and Irwin is also currently organizing a spaghetti dinner fundraiser.
“I didn’t expect it to go this far,” said Lenny Anderson. “It just started out with one flyer, and now it’s all over town…There’s just not enough ways to say thank you for all she’s done.”
The spaghetti dinner fundraiser is set for Saturday, August 10th from 2-6pm at the Ionia Moose Lodge, 369 East Lincoln Ave.
An account has also been set up to help the family at Portland Federal Credit Union in Ionia. The medical fund is under the names Lenny and Heather Anderson.
You can also keep up with the girl’s conditions and progress on Facebook by clickinghere.