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close‘Team Sharp’ aids family in need
Project focuses on helping family dealing with cancer
Nate Hulings
of the Gateway
Like every senior in the state, Kee May, a Running Start and Gig Harbor High School student, is required to complete a senior project.
And like many students, he initially had no idea what to do — that is, until his mother told him about a neighboring family and their recent struggles.
The Sharp family has had it tough recently. Andy Sharp, husband and father of four, has had two stem cell transplants in the past three months to combat anaplastic large cell lymphoma. His most recent transplant was last month, and Sharp has at least 100 days from the surgery date until he can come home.
He’s currently a full-time patient at Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, and as a result, his wife and children have been spending a lot of time without their husband and dad.
As soon as May’s mother told him the story, he wanted to help.
“I knew I wanted to do this,” May said. “It just hit me. I really wanted to do something once I heard about the situation.”
His first idea was a big fundraiser, which was shot down by Sharp’s wife, Kathryn, who preferred smaller projects. So, after conversations with the Sharp family, May decided to focus on home improvement projects and wristband sales to pay for them.
Inspired by Lance Armstrong’s “Livestrong” wristbands, May combined his message with the one Sharp with in all of his online journal posts.
Each green wristband, one of Sharp’s favorite colors, has “TEAM SHARP” written on one side and “Be Well and in Peace” on the other — the term with which Sharp ends every correspondence.
The wristbands are $3 each or two for $5 and are available at the U.S. Bank in Safeway in Gig Harbor, the Arletta store, Rosedale Gardens, the Island View market and the Fox Island market. Monetary donations also are being accepted at U.S. Bank under “Team Sharp.”
All proceeds from the wristbands and monetary donations go toward funding activities and projects in support of the Sharp family. If money remains in the account after the projects are complete, it can be used any way the Sharp family deems fit.
Two of Sharp’s children, Sam and Sara, attend Voyager Elementary. The school also is where May has had the best luck selling the wristbands. Of the 800 he’s sold so far, nearly half were purchased by students and staff at Voyager.
One student even came up with a $20 bill, asking how many wristbands the money could buy.
May’s goal is to sell 1,000.
May also has used the Internet to get the word out about “Team Sharp.” Since October, he’s sent 300 e-mails and received word from not only all over the United States but the world.
But if you’ve got a knack for painting or woodwork, your help is also needed. Sales from the wristbands and other donations have topped $2,500, so “Team Sharp” has either completed or have scheduled eight house and yard projects.
The team recently installed fencing to keep the Sharps’ goats wrangled — the family was worried about coyotes. And because of Sharp’s illness, the family also needed to renovate the chicken coop — a task that volunteers for “Team Sharp” recently finished. They also planted lawn seed in the family’s front and back yards.
One of the many volunteers is Lorraine McCormick, the secretary at Voyager Elementary. She’s leading the team to help sanitize Sharp’s room for when he returns home.
“It’s just a nice way to give them a hand,” McCormick said. “Hopefully their dad will survive and be able to be part of their family again.”
If all goes well, Sharp, who couldn’t be reached for comment, could be home in February or March. He currently keeps a journal online that chronicles his peaks and valleys during the road to recovery.
For now, May continues to help out in any way he can. And while his final project will be turned in and completed by spring, the mark he’s left on the Sharp family will resonate for years to come.
“It feels good to help out during a time that’s hard for them,” May said.
Want to join ‘Team Sharp?’
If you would like to buy a wristband or volunteer with “Team Sharp,” e-mail Kee May at kee.may14@yahoo.com or call 253-265-3356.
Want to stay updated on Andy Sharp’s recovery? He has an online journal set up at www.caringbridge.org/visit/andysharp.