Fund helps young cancer patient get to Nashville treatment center

Heather Starr Hanegan stands with her daughters, Krysta, Alayna, Tylin and Gracelyn, clockwise from right, on Tuesday at their Harrison home. Heather Starr Hanegan stands with her daughters, Krysta, Alayna, Tylin and Gracelyn, clockwise from right, on Tuesday at their Harrison home.

By Yolanda Putman December 2, 2015 3 min read

Less than five months after Heather Starr Hanegan moved from homelessness to housing, her oldest daughter was diagnosed with cancer.

Hanegan, a single mother of four school-aged girls, had no money to get her daughter to the treatment center until the Rhea County United Way drew $150 from the Neediest Cases fund.

“It helped me get my child to the hospital in Nashville to get her ready for her transplant,” Hanegan said. “She’s doing great now.”

To donate

Call 423-757-6208 to make a tax-deductible donation or go to timesfreepress.com/news/neediestcases/2015/.

Hanegan’s daughter was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma and had a successful stem cell transplant.