Young man battling cancer stunned when Secret Santa elves show up at local restaurant
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A Secret Santa has asked EastIdahoNews.com to help him give away $200,000 to deserving people and families living in east Idaho. From now until Christmas, Santa’s “elves” will be delivering surprises to many in our community. Some of the deliveries will be recorded – many will not. If you’d like to nominate someone for a Secret Santa surprise, click here.
Jared Andersen has been diagnosed with cancer four times over the past few years.
The 19-year-old first noticed a lump forming in his left hand while lifting weights as a junior at Firth High School. Tests revealed Rhabdomayosarcoma, an aggressive cancer that develops in muscle surrounding bones.
Radiation and chemotherapy became part of his life and the football player was contacted by the Make-A-Wish Foundation. He said his only wish was to help his high school get a new weight room.
Word of Jared’s wish spread to Bodybuilding.com and the Lift Life Foundation who arranged to have extensive upgrades made to the weight room in honor of Jared.
Now Jared is undergoing chemo again before having major surgery in just a few weeks. He attends Idaho State University full-time in between treatments and has never asked for help.
Secret Santa heard about Jared and sent his elves to surprise the young man while he ate lunch with his brother at a local restaurant.
