From patient to giver: ‘Let’s Fight Together’ hosts Nov. 15 holiday flea market in East Springfield

More than two decades ago, T. J. Anderson’s medical journey began with a diagnosis of IgA kidney disease, a chronic illness in which the immune system attacks the kidneys, causing inflammation and long-term damage.

“I was on dialysis for three years,” Anderson said. After that time, he received a kidney transplant from a woman in his church. Five years later, his body rejected the kidney, forcing him back onto dialysis. A second transplant has now sustained him for nearly a decade.

Throughout his journey, the community rallied around him. “They had fundraisers and such to support me to be able to get to treatments and get to the transplants,” Anderson said. “So like people did for me, I started this to do the same for others.”

Anderson went on to found Let’s Fight Together, a 501(c)(3) charity that raises money for individuals and families in need. It began with a focus on dialysis patients, providing donations such as groceries and gas cards to those undergoing treatment. “Because of the privacy act, the only way we can do it is catch people in the parking lot and talk with them,” he said.

Over time, the organization has expanded its mission. “We help if kids are sick, families that have house fires, local people battling cancer. We try to help in some way to show support,” Anderson said. “Sadly, it’s not hard to find people to help.”

The group’s next event is an indoor holiday flea market Saturday, Nov. 15, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the East Springfield Community Center, 9827 County Hwy 39, Bloomingdale. The fundraiser will feature a wide variety of vendors, hot food, baked goods, and drinks, as well as a gun raffle and a 50/50 drawing. All proceeds will go directly to the community.

Anderson said the organization often holds multiple fundraisers at once. “I’m currently doing a gun raffle for somebody with pancreatic cancer and an ammo raffle for a family that lost their house,” he said.

Despite recently undergoing surgery to remove cancer from the left side of his face, Anderson said he is looking forward to the event. The flea market will be the final fundraiser of the year, giving him time for a much-needed break before activities resume next spring.

To learn more about Let’s Fight Together or to get involved, contact Anderson at letsfighttogether58@gmail.com or 740-512-3278.