A $1.2 million gift will benefit Intermountain’s cancer team…and the donor’s long-time caregiver

Trustees Carl and Kalynn Larson (left) of the Elvin and June Anderson Trust present a check for over $1.2 million to Drs. Terence Rhodes and Lincoln Nadauld, RVP Terri Kane, and Joel Deceuster from the Foundation..

In 1985, Andy and his wife June formed the Elvin and June Anderson Trust. Following June's death from breast cancer in 1992, Andy amended the trust as a perpetual endowment for the Cancer Center at Dixie Regional Medical Center in St. George, Utah. The endowment will benefit Intermountain's Cancer Genomics research, which holds tremendous promise for cancer patients throughout Utah and across the nation.

"Andy loved June and wanted to do something to honor her," says Kalynn Larson, who served for many years as the couple's full-time caregiver and trustee of the estate. "We spent long hours talking about it. He wanted the money to go to fight cancer."

Since they were nearly always together, Andy and his caretaker developed a deep mutual fondness and a comfortable routine. But during the final week of August 2016, two events converged that would change their lives forever: Andy passed away, and Kalynn was diagnosed with cancer. Kalynn is currently undergoing treatment at Dixie Regional Medical Center.

Kalynn says Andy's passing left a legacy that will benefit countless cancer patients — herself now included. "Andy's gift makes me feel like he's taking care of me, just like I took care of him," she says. "Now I have my memories of Andy, and his inspiration helps me through my own ordeal with cancer."

For more information on how to make a contribution to the fight against cancer, see DixieRegionalFoundation.org/give or call (435) 251-2480.

Cancer research at Intermountain Healthcare has received a generous gift of more than $1.2 million. The gift came from the estate of Elvin "Andy" Anderson, who passed away at age 104 in St. George, Utah. While Andy's contribution will benefit many people, thanks to a twist of fate, it's also making a difference for one of those he cared for the most.