NBAA/OCDC

In the Summer 0f 2007, Kelley Anderson, wife of Columbus, Ohio Police Sergeant Todd Anderson, had been diagnosed with Uterine Cancer and had undergone  Chemotherapy. Kelley’s Cancer had been thought to be under control, and the couple planned a trip to Florida in May of 2008 to relax and get away.

While in Florida, Kelley became sick and was hospitalized. Doctors found that she had contracted a terminal, internal infection due to her immune system being weakened from the treatments she received in Ohio, and her Cancer had returned. Due to her weak condition, Doctors could do nothing for Kelley and Todd made the decision to return her to Ohio to live out her last days with friends & family. In her fragile state, Kelley could not be flown by commercial airlines, and a Medical Helicopter was the only logical choice to bring her home in a timely manner as her health was deteriorating with each passing day. Due to shortcomings in the couples health insurance, the “Med Flight” would not be covered, and Todd was forced to pay the $14,000.00 cost of transportation out of his pocket!

Kelley was flown home, and unfortunately passed away on Monday May 26^th, 2008 (Memorial Day).

Officers from The Columbus, Ohio Division of Police were notified by the Anderson family of Kelley & Todd’s dilemma, and rallied to their aid by accepting donations from The CPD Sworn Personnel, and the Fraternal Order of Police in Central Ohio to help defray the transportation costs. CPD Officer Brad Thiel (an NBAA/OCDC Member) contacted Directors of The NBAA/Ohio Central Division Weekend Challenge, to help organize a ‘Benefit Bass Tournament” which took place at Deer Creek Reservoir on June 28^th, 2008. This was known as “The Kelley Anderson Benefit Open”. All told, The Columbus, Ohio Division of Police, The Fraternal Order of Police & The Ohio Central Division collected over $10,000.00 (at last count) to help Sgt. Anderson in his time of need!

Kelley was a graduate of West Liberty University (formerly West Liberty State College) in West Virginia with a degree as a Dental Hygienist and was employed by Dr. Robert Burnard on Columbus’ west side for 22 years! As a matter of fact, Kelley was so dedicated to her job that when she was told that her Cancer had come back, her first words were "I guess this means I will not be going back to work?" That's dedication! What Todd had planned was to work with WLU in setting up a fund to supplement their Scholarship Program in the name of Kelley Anderson, and asked The NBAA/OCDC & Paul’s Marine Inc to host an annual, open “Memorial Tournament” in Kelley’s name. Our 1^st Annual Kelley Anderson Memorial Tournament took place on May 16th, 2009 with 50% of the proceeds donated to West Liberty University Scholarship Fund in Kelley's name!

With the Kelley Anderson Scholarship Fund now in place, our NBAA/OCDC Circuit has established the Annual Kelley Anderson Memorial to be scheduled every year around Memorial Day in Kelley's honor! This year, the Event will take place on May 29th, 2010 at O'Shaughnessy Reservoir.

Further….our NBAA/OCDC “50/50” drawing that we have at all of our NBAA Sanctioned & Open Tournaments will go to the Scholarship fund as well for all of our 2010 Season!

We will also have a “Donation Box” on the check in/weigh in table, and will accept cash donations at EVERY function that we attend in the coming season. These donations will be tax deductible!

On behalf of the Anderson Family & West Liberty University,