Fundraiser, softball tournament to raise money for Ansonia family

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ANSONIA — Emily Moody was diagnosed with acute t-cell lymphoblastic leukemia in February of this year.

Since then she’s been undergoing regular treatment, including multiple hospital stays. Now the organizers of two upcoming events in Ansonia aim to help Moody raise money for that treatment.

The next step in Moody’s treatment plan is a bone marrow transplant, which will require a three-month stay in Columbus. The Facebook page “Hope for Emily” has been set up by Moody’s friends and family members to help cover the expense not only of the procedure itself but of housing during that period. The page also provides followers with updates on Moody’s health.

The first fundraiser, a quarter auction and tenderloin dinner, will take place at 6 p.m. Saturday at the Ansonia American Legion. In a quarter auction, participants bid on donated items by tossing a quarter into a bucket. Other events include a coed slow-pitch softball tournament scheduled for Sept. 28, 29 and 30 at the Ansonia ballpark.

Moody and her husband are the parents of eight children, ranging from 4 to 20 years old. They also have one grandson and another on the way.

“With all the cost of everything, my wife and I decided that we needed to do something, so I asked my mother if she’d be willing to help put a fundraiser together,” Moody’s son-in-law, Eric Beisner, told The Daily Advocate. “My mom runs a few fundraisers every year.”

Beisner’s mother, Carleen, is working with a committee that includes Beisner, his wife and several other family members, as well as a number of others, including Ashley Gilpin, Mary Saintignon, Susan Fowble, Cindy Moody, Kathy Wagner, Deb Rose, Tammy Klipstine, Connie Starline, Michele Philippi, Cindy Brown, Madison Stover, Makayla Stover and Mindy Ward.

“Most of the committee is family, or people who work at Ansonia Schools and want to help out, as they teach or have taught Emily’s kids,” Beisner said.

“Emily is a very sweet and kind lady with the biggest heart,” Beisner continued. “She is quite honestly the strongest woman I know. Before she was diagnosed her days were filled with being a full-time mother. Seven of her kids are still in the house, so you can imagine that is a tiring job. But she loves every second of it.”

Moody has been making monthly trips to the hospital for chemotherapy treatments since being diagnosed, Beisner said.

“She’s usually in there for a week or two, depending on how she feels after the treatment,” Beisner said.

Moody has two treatments left, according to Beisner, at which point she will receive a bone marrow transplant. That procedure will require her to stay in Columbus for three months.

“The hardest thing she’s gone through while dealing with all this is being away from her family,” Beisner said.

Moody’s children, he said, typically stay with him or with grandparents during their mother’s hospital stays.

“Now the next step for Emily is to get the bone marrow transplant and honestly just to take things one day at a time,” Beisner said. “Right now she is enjoying her kids and family as much as she can before she has to be gone for three months.”

In the meantime, community members have helped out, according to Beisner, by providing the family with meals during Moody’s hospital stays.

“Emily is overwhelmed with all the support she is receiving,” Beisner said. “The community has really come together, and she is really feeling the love and just appreciates everyone who has helped or who is helping.”

Emily Moody, of Ansonia, and family, including eight children and one grandchild. Moody’s friends and family are hosting a number of events to raise funds for Moody’s cancer treatment.
https://www.dailyadvocate.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/web1_Moody.jpgEmily Moody, of Ansonia, and family, including eight children and one grandchild. Moody’s friends and family are hosting a number of events to raise funds for Moody’s cancer treatment. Courtesy photo

By Tony Baker

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The writer may be reached at 937-247-6580. To join the conversation and get updates on Facebook, search Advocate360. For more features online, go to dailyadvocate.com.

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