Living on For the Families continues Ansley’s concern for others

Living on

For the Families continues Ansley’s concern for others

WRITTEN BY GREGG L. PARKER

PHOTOGRAPHS BY JEN FOUTS-DETULLEO

Ansley Smith’s bubbly personality and enduring strength have combined to help other children who are facing the same fight that Ansley so bravely fought.

Ansley’s parents, J.R. and Cassie Smith, and her grandmother, Vanesa Randall, have founded For the Families. This organization, which is nearing non-rofit status, raises funds to help families who have a child diagnosed with cancer.

“Until Ansley got sick, I never thought much about what happens to a family when a child is diagnosed with cancer,” Cassie said. “J.R. and I had no choice but to walk away from our jobs.”

Ansley had Stage 3 Rhabdomyosarcoma cancer. After routine appointments for an ear infection, doctors found a large mass in Ansley’s sinus area and palette that was eroding the bone leading to her skull. Ansley was admitted to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital for 60 weeks of chemotherapy. She passed away July 7, 2015.

“St. Jude took care of us in Memphis,” Cassie said. However, the Smiths still had a mortgage, car payment, insurance and another child who had needs. “We were blessed by friends, family and complete strangers who helped, but I realized not everyone has people to help them.”

“That’s why For the Families exists: to fill the gap – to help families any way we can during some of the worst times they have ever faced,” Cassie said.

For the Families board members are J.R. Smith, Madison; Mike Randall, Moulton; Steve Burden, Town Creek; and Jerri Long, Moulton.

“I don’t want everything that Ansley went through to be for nothing,” Cassie said. “People see pictures of kids with cancer, and they’re always smiling. What you don’t see is all the pain and suffering. Parents don’t take pictures of that.”

Cassie believes that, if Ansley had lived, she would have wanted to help someone else. “Ansley loved the other kids at St. Jude, and she prayed for them,” Cassie said.

Recently, For the Families conducted its first fundraiser as an organization. “It was our third annual adult dodgeball tournament, but the last two years we did it as a fundraiser for Cassie and J.R.,” Vanesa Randall, Ansley’s grandmother, said. “We always have so much fun with it, and the tournament will continue to be one of our main events.”

Cassie and J.R. have spoken with several families, and For the Families soon will be helping them. To identify families, organization volunteers stay in contact with schools, hospitals and public input.

The Smiths and Randall hope people will use Facebook/For the Families to reach out on their own behalf or for someon

Living on

For the Families continues Ansley’s concern for others

WRITTEN BY GREGG L. PARKER

PHOTOGRAPHS BY JEN FOUTS-DETULLEO

Ansley Smith’s bubbly personality and enduring strength have combined to help other children who are facing the same fight that Ansley so bravely fought.

Ansley’s parents, J.R. and Cassie Smith, and her grandmother, Vanesa Randall, have founded For the Families. This organization, which is nearing non-rofit status, raises funds to help families who have a child diagnosed with cancer.

“Until Ansley got sick, I never thought much about what happens to a family when a child is diagnosed with cancer,” Cassie said. “J.R. and I had no choice but to walk away from our jobs.”

Ansley had Stage 3 Rhabdomyosarcoma cancer. After routine appointments for an ear infection, doctors found a large mass in Ansley’s sinus area and palette that was eroding the bone leading to her skull. Ansley was admitted to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital for 60 weeks of chemotherapy. She passed away July 7, 2015.

“St. Jude took care of us in Memphis,” Cassie said. However, the Smiths still had a mortgage, car payment, insurance and another child who had needs. “We were blessed by friends, family and complete strangers who helped, but I realized not everyone has people to help them.”

“That’s why For the Families exists: to fill the gap – to help families any way we can during some of the worst times they have ever faced,” Cassie said.

For the Families board members are J.R. Smith, Madison; Mike Randall, Moulton; Steve Burden, Town Creek; and Jerri Long, Moulton.

“I don’t want everything that Ansley went through to be for nothing,” Cassie said. “People see pictures of kids with cancer, and they’re always smiling. What you don’t see is all the pain and suffering. Parents don’t take pictures of that.”

Cassie believes that, if Ansley had lived, she would have wanted to help someone else. “Ansley loved the other kids at St. Jude, and she prayed for them,” Cassie said.

Recently, For the Families conducted its first fundraiser as an organization. “It was our third annual adult dodgeball tournament, but the last two years we did it as a fundraiser for Cassie and J.R.,” Vanesa Randall, Ansley’s grandmother, said. “We always have so much fun with it, and the tournament will continue to be one of our main events.”

Cassie and J.R. have spoken with several families, and For the Families soon will be helping them. To identify families, organization volunteers stay in contact with schools, hospitals and public input.

The Smiths and Randall hope people will use Facebook/For the Families to reach out on their own behalf or for someone they know. “Everyone seems to know someone who is being touched by cancer,” Cassie said.

A family’s specific needs determine the ways that For the Families helps. “Every family is different. We might pay a mortgage payment, some other bill or buy school supplies for a sibling or help buy Christmas gifts,” Cassie said. “And as sad as it is, every family will be screened to make sure their needs are legitimate.”

Working with For the Families has helped the Smiths and Randall during their grieving process. “Absolutely. Whenever you are hurting, you should take your eyes off yourself and help someone else,” Cassie said. “Everyone has issues and problems in their life that someone out there has been though before. That (experience) can be used to give encouragement and hope. I wish our story had ended differently, but, as a family, we know Ansley is OK. We know where she is, and we will see her again.”

e they know. “Everyone seems to know someone who is being touched by cancer,” Cassie said.

A family’s specific needs determine the ways that For the Families helps. “Every family is different. We might pay a mortgage payment, some other bill or buy school supplies for a sibling or help buy Christmas gifts,” Cassie said. “And as sad as it is, every family will be screened to make sure their needs are legitimate.”

Working with For the Families has helped the Smiths and Randall during their grieving process. “Absolutely. Whenever you are hurting, you should take your eyes off yourself and help someone else,” Cassie said. “Everyone has issues and problems in their life that someone out there has been though before. That (experience) can be used to give encouragement and hope. I wish our story had ended differently, but, as a family, we know Ansley is OK. We know where she is, and we will see her again.”