Valley girl battling cancer in Seattle hospital

Casey Ressler Frontiersman Valley Life editor

One hour. That's how long it took the Potters' lives to turn upside down the day after Christmas.

Hali Potter, 9, was diagnosed with a form of lymphoma cancer the day after Christmas. Doctors in Anchorage told her and her family they would need to fly to Seattle for treatment — in one hour — because her fever had spiked for days already.

"We barely had time to get to the airport and say goodbye to them," said Eva Manginelli, Hali's grandmother. "They had an hour to get to the airport. They took what they had with them at the hospital, which was basically just one set of clothes."

The diagnosis was just as shocking.

Hali complained of a sore neck and arm after taking a fall on ice at a local ice rink. Her parents, Rod and Monique Potter, took her to the doctor, who noticed a lump above her collarbone. Valley Hospital sent her to Anchorage for more tests, and then she was off to Seattle in the blink of an eye.

Friday, she and her parents moved into a room at the Ronald McDonald House in Seattle while she undergoes chemotherapy treatment.

Her parents hope they can return around the first of March, but it all depends on how the treatment is going.

"They caught the cancer fairly early, but she will be getting treatment for at least 15 months to two years," Manginelli said.

Hali's sister, Brandy, and her two brothers, Daniel and James, are living with their grandparents while their sister is in Seattle.

Because of the suddenness of the move to Seattle, the family is left saddled with expenses, and virtually no way to to pay them. Manginelli and Hali's other grandparents, Dick and Elaine Potter, have set up two accounts at local banks, so that people in the community who would like to help the family through this rough time can do so.

Under the name "Hali Potter Medical Fund," people may donate at National Bank of Alaska and also at Matanuska Valley Federal Credit Union.

Other donations are also being accepted, and community groups are trying to help as much as they can.

Hali is a Girl Scout, a member of the "Pony Pals" 4-H Club and competes in horseback riding.

While expenses are piling up for the families, Art Manginelli is also embarking on something bigger than just paying heating and lighting bills.

Before Hali's situation became known, the Potters were in the process of building a new home, and now, it is sitting unfinished for the time being.

It must be finished, however, before Hali can return home finally.

"Spenard Builders Supply has really been helpful because we are trying to finish everything in the house so she has a place to come home to," Art Manginelli said.

Eva Manginelli said help has been coming from a number of people and organizations during this hectic time.

Every day, though, new things pop up.

"Every little bit helps, because we aren't well off to begin with," Manginelli said. "Heating bills, lighting bills — everything has to be paid some way or another."

For more information about how to help the family, interested people may contact the Manginellis at 373-2015.