By Crystal Thompson
Andrea Moore, the nine-year-old Havre girl who has been battling a leukemia relapse for three months, enjoyed the holidays thanks to the support of local residents, said her father, J.B. Moore.
Moore and his son, Junior, traveled to Seattle to visit Andrea over the Christmas holiday. Andrea's mother, Denise Moore, has been staying with her there.
The Moores received some disappointing news last week, when an attempt to find Andrea a match for a bone-marrow transplant failed. Tests confirmed that her brother Junior was not an eligible donor.
"He was really disappointed," Moore said.
The doctors decided that chemotherapy and radiation treatments would be the best for Andrea at this point. As of now, Andrea is facing eight months of chemo followed by two months of radiation. She is currently undergoing chemotherapy every five days and has lost all of her hair. At the request of Andrea, Moore is currently sporting the bald look, as well.
Andrea remains in high spirits, and Moore said that Christmas was a truly happy time for his family.
"We had a really great Christmas thanks to all the people who donated," Moore said, "I enjoyed every minute over there."
The Moores' medical bills continue to increase. Although Medicaid has begun payment, Moore said that the bill for only six days of Andrea's hospital stay totalled $29,000. With another 10 months of treatments in the future, the bills are certain to increase dramatically. Local fund-raisers are still in process.
To find out more contact J.B. Moore at 262-2973 or 262-3310.
