chemo

Going from competing in beauty pageants and going to college, to being diagnosed with cancer. A northern Kentucky college student is in the fight of her life. But instead of giving up or being angry, she’s determined to win, just like she always has. Anna Ferris has been competing in beauty pageants since she was 9 years old. She’s 20 now and still loves the feeling of being up there on that stage and taking home the crown. The plan was to compete this summer and hopefully get to the state competition, but life took a cruel turn. “I had a cough that lingered around for about four months. At first, I thought it was just a cold. As soon as my pediatrician said we saw the scan and you have a mass in your chest, I burst into tears. And I’m not a crier at all usually and I kind of didn’t want to believe it,” Ferris said.It was a gut punch to Anna’s mom, Wendy, too. “I went into fight mode. I couldn’t be the one breaking down in front of her because I needed to be strong. So we’re just going to power through this and get her back to her normal self,” Wendy Ferris said. Anna was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma. She immediately had to start an aggressive round of chemotherapy. Suddenly, everything, from pageants, sorority life and even college, is on hold. Anna has no idea when she’ll be able to go back. Chemo treatments can be a dark, quiet, lonely place. Anna’s mom said this is not the way things were supposed to go. “Especially when you know Anna and she is the sweetest, kindest person. So to see her in pain or hurting is definitely hard. But she definitely shines through it. She’s just that way,” Wendy Ferris said. Somehow, Anna still has that sparkle, just like her crown. But no one, not even her mom, expected what Anna would do in the middle of this brutal fight.Anna says with a smile, “I kind of had gotten over the fact that I had no hair and I was just like, why not send it and see what happens? And the worst that can happen has already happened. I mean, I already have cancer, so what else can happen?” Not only did Anna compete, she won!She’s Alexandria Fairgrounds Kentucky’s reining Miss Alexandria Fair and, suddenly, an inspiration to every person who sees her. She was crowned at the Alexandria Fair & Horse Show.Anna’s message now is to “be nice to everyone because you never know what they’re going through. Although some might be obvious because they might be bald.” Anna has a long battle ahead: more chemo, then radiation, but she’s already planning for the state competition in January. There’s no stopping this beauty queen. “My name is Anna Ferris and I am Ms. Alexandria Fair 2023. And I am strong,” Anna said.”My daughter is Anna Ferris and she is a fighter. And she is blessed,” Wendy said. Despite all of this, Anna is still taking online classes at Western Kentucky. Anna has always wanted to be a pediatrician. She says this cancer battle has made her want to help kids even more.