A Tale of Two Strangers

By CS | September 3, 2013

By Catherine Jacocks

Deandre Shorts, age 32, son of Helen and Leroy Shorts, finished Jackson High School as a very special student in more ways than one. Deandre is never ‘down’, he always has a smile on his face and is ready and willing to help in any way he can. Deandre has collected aluminum cans since he was in middle school, using the proceeds as his spending money. Because of his endearing nature, over the years, others have saved their cans for him. He turns in around 50 pounds at a time. When Deandre learned that saving the tabs could help other people, he started pulling the tabs from his cans as he collected them. When his mother told Deandre about the tabs helping children who needed St. Jude’s, he began to send them to their Baton Rouge office.  He said, “wanted to help ‘em – the handicapped – the sick.”  Beth Dawson of Jackson is one of the persons who saves cans for Deandre.  Her brother, Chuck Langlois of Central, has a niece in his wife’s family being treated at St. Jude.  When Deandre learned of this, he got right to work.

Recently Deandre contributed EIGHT (8) GALLONS of tabs, specifying that they be used to benefit Kenlie Jackson of City of Central, Louisiana, daughter of Ken and Jennifer Jackson. Kenlie, who will be 7 years old on September 1^st, was diagnosed with Synovial Sarcoma on April 23, 2008, at the age of 19 months. She has been a patient of St. Jude’s since April 28^th of that year.  Synovial Sarcoma is the malignancy of the tissue surrounding a joint. In Kenlie’s case, the cancer was surrounding her left knee.  The original treatment was surgery only. When it reoccurred 2 years later, surgery included radiation.  In May 2013, Kenlie’s family was informed that the cancer was back.  Her physicians opted for knee replacement surgery.  At this point, incision healing must be completed before radiation surgery can proceed.  Kenlie and her family are optimistic.  Her mother reports that Kenlie is a second grade student at Tanglewood Elementary School in Central. She is a Girl Scout, loves to play T-Ball, dance and play with her friends.  Jennifer Jackson says of her daughter, “Kenlie has a precious spirit and has had a great attitude through all of this. We’ll hopefully get this cancer beat for good!”

Kenlie’s family were told of the contribution made by Deandre Shorts to benefit their daughter. They are very grateful for his loving and giving spirit.  Deandre says he knew Kenlie was “real sick”. He added, “It feels good helping.”  He was surprised to learn that St. Jude’s was in Memphis, Tennessee; “So that’s where it’s at!” he commented.  Deandre continues to collect his cans and remove the tabs. HELPING IN HIS NAME FOOD PANTRY in Jackson, close to the library, collects cans for Deandre. The pantry is open the second and fourth Monday and Tuesday mornings of each month, so bring those cans on by!  Deandre doesn’t operate lawn equipment, but is willing to pick up paper or other trash if people need their yards or roadsides cleaned. Deandre doesn’t mind hard work. And he keeps on smiling!

Above: Deandre with his 8 gallons of tabs he gave to Kenlie

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Above: Kenlie at St. Jude's.