Spaghetti feed set for tomorrow night

ROYAL CITY - A spaghetti feed has been scheduled for tomorrow evening at Royal High School to raise funds for a cancer victim who is well known to the student population.

Denise Andersen has been a custodian at the high school for 14 years. Some of the students refer to her as their mother. She was diagnosed with cancer more than three years ago.

The spaghetti feed was organized to help pay for three months of medical insurance for Andersen while she takes a break from work. She has worked all through the first three and a half years of this battle but opted for some rest the first of this month.

"I feel tired," Andersen said. "All of a sudden it hit me that I need a break."

Andersen, 44, has lived in Royal City since the fourth grade. She was diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer at the age of 40.

"It had spread all over by the time it was diagnosed," she said.

Andersen was found with a stomach tumor so large it was inoperable. She underwent three six-hour chemotherapy treatments to reduce it to an operable size. After the operation she had six more six-hour chemotherapy sessions.

"I was good for maybe six months, and it came back in my bowels," Andersen said.

Andersen underwent a second surgery and then six more six-hour chemotherapy sessions. She has taken three chemotherapy  treatments at the same time.

"I have a port in my side and one in my chest. They poured chemo through both of them," Andersen said.

None of this process is a surprise to Andersen. Cancer took her parents in their 70s and a brother at the age of 40. She knows the battle, and she is hanging tough. Her spirits are up.

"The doctor said it's up to me if I fight or give up," she said. "I've chosen to fight."

So have Andersen's friends, led by Angie Smith and Susie Littlewood. They organized the spaghetti fund raiser when they realized Andersen would need help to keep her insurance.

"Angie told me I could say yes or I could say no, but they were going to do it anyway. It made me cry," Andersen said.

The spaghetti feed will begin at 5 p.m. It will cost $5 a plate and  will include spaghetti, salad, garlic bread, a cupcake and a drink.

According to Smith, the high school's FCCLA group and a community group of students are helping. Andersen, who goes to Seattle every two weeks for treatments, is appreciative.

"Every day is a gift," she said.