ANNA MARIA – The Anna Maria Island community is coming out in support of Mackenzie Morgan, Jonathan Anasis, their 3 1/2-month-old son, River Anasis, and their young daughter, Vayda Anasis.
On July 13, the Rise Up for River Benefit: A Community Rally for Hope and Healing event took place at The Center of Anna Maria Island. Co-hosted by the Anna Maria-based Waterfront Restaurant, Rise Up for River served as a fundraiser for River’s ongoing battle with Primary HLH (Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis), an extremely rare genetic immune deficiency disorder.
The fundraising activities included live and silent auctions and raffles featuring items donated by the greater Anna Maria Island business community. The event also included live music by Trevor Bystrom and guests, Caribbean food and more.
When contacted on Sunday, Center Executive Director Chris Culhane said he probably wouldn’t have a final fundraising total until Tuesday.
According to the family’s GoFundMe page, “Support River’s Fight Against Primary HLH,” River was born “healthy, happy and normal” on March 30. He later developed a 103.5-degree fever and was taken to Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg, where he was tested for sepsis and acute liver failure. River tested positive for rhinovirus and enterovirus, was placed on antibiotics, steroids and other medications and later diagnosed with Primary HLH.
Since then, River has had a bone marrow aspiration, a lumbar puncture/spinal tap and blood, platelet and plasma transfusions and he’ll need a bone marrow transplant and chemotherapy to survive.
“Our family is down to one income and beginning to struggle with expenses. Any donation is greatly appreciated by our family,” Morgan stated on the GoFundMe page.
As of Sunday afternoon, the GoFundMe page had raised $22,659 of the original $25,000 fundraising goal.
Sunday morning, Morgan shared this message on Facebook: “Huge thank you for everyone involved in making the #riseupforriver benefit. Thank you for all the continued love and support! Was a great turnout yesterday.”
When contacted later in the day, she said, “The event was great. So much love and support from the community.”
She also expressed her thanks to The Center, The Waterfront Restaurant, Slim’s Place, Karen Place, Dee Munn, A.J. Latteri and everyone else who assisted with and attended the Rise Up for River fundraiser.
If you’d like to help, please visit the “Support River’s Fight Against Primary HLH” GoFundMe page.
