Beauty queen fights back after devastating cancer diagnosis
From competing in pageants and studying to being diagnosed with cancer, a northern Kentucky college student is in the fight of her life. But instead of giving up or being angry, she is determined to win, just like she always has. Anna Ferris has been participating in beauty pageants since she was nine years old. She’s 20 now and still loves the feeling of being on stage and taking home the crown. The plan was to compete this summer and hopefully reach the state competition, but life took a cruel turn. “I had a cough that lasted for about four months. At first I thought it was just a cold. When my pediatrician said we saw the scan and you had a mass in your chest, I burst into tears. And I don’t normally scream at all and I kind of didn’t want to believe it,” Ferris said. It was also a slap in the face for Anna’s mother Wendy. “I went into fight mode. I couldn’t be the one to break down in front of her because I had to be strong. So we’re just going to get through this and get her back to her normal self,” said Wendy Ferris. Anna was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma. She had to begin aggressive chemotherapy immediately. Suddenly, everything from beauty pageants to sorority life to college is on hold. Anna has no idea when she can return. Chemotherapy can be a dark, quiet and lonely place. Anna’s mother said that things weren’t supposed to go that way. “Especially when you know Anna and she is the sweetest and kindest person. So it’s definitely hard to see them suffering or being hurt. But she definitely shines through. That’s just who she is,” Wendy Ferris said. Somehow Anna still has that sparkle, just like her crown. But no one, not even her mother, had expected what Anna would do in the middle of this brutal battle. Anna says with a smile, “I had kind of gotten over the fact that I had no hair and just thought, why not.” Send it and see what happens? And the worst thing that can happen has already happened. I mean, I already have cancer, so what else can happen? Anna not only took part, she also won! She is the best Miss Alexandria Fair of Alexandria Fairgrounds Kentucky and suddenly an inspiration to everyone who sees her. She was crowned at the Alexandria Fair & Horse Show. Anna’s message now is: “Be kind to everyone because you never know what they are going through. Although some may be obvious because they may be bald.” Anna has a long battle ahead of her: more chemo, then radiation, but she’s already planning for the state competition in January. This beauty queen is unstoppable. “My name is Anna Ferris and I am Ms. Alexandria Fair 2023. And I am strong,” Anna said. “My daughter is Anna Ferris and she is a fighter. And she is blessed,” Wendy said. Despite all of this, Anna is still taking online classes at Western Kentucky. Anna always wanted to be a pediatrician. She says this battle with cancer made her want to help children even more.
From competing in pageants and studying to being diagnosed with cancer, a Northern Kentucky college student is in the fight of her life.
But instead of giving up or being angry, she is determined to win, just like she always has.
Anna Ferris has been participating in beauty pageants since she was nine years old.
She’s 20 now and still loves the feeling of being on stage and taking home the crown.
The plan was to compete this summer and hopefully reach the state competition, but life took a cruel turn.
“I had a cough that lasted for about four months. At first I thought it was just a cold. When my pediatrician said we saw the scan and you had a mass in your chest, I burst into tears. And I “I’m not usually a crier at all and I kind of didn’t want to believe it,” Ferris said.
It was also a slap in the face for Anna’s mother Wendy.
“I went into fight mode. I couldn’t be the one to break down in front of her because I had to be strong. So we’re just going to get through this and get her back to her normal self,” said Wendy Ferris.
Anna was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma. She had to begin aggressive chemotherapy immediately. Suddenly, everything from beauty pageants to sorority life to college is on hold.
Anna has no idea when she can return. Chemotherapy can be a dark, quiet and lonely place. Anna’s mother said that things weren’t supposed to go that way.
“Especially when you know Anna and she is the sweetest and kindest person. So it’s definitely hard to see them suffering or being hurt. But she definitely shines through. That’s just who she is,” Wendy Ferris said.
Somehow Anna still has that sparkle, just like her crown. But no one, not even her mother, expected what Anna would do in the midst of this brutal battle.
Anna says with a smile: “I had kind of gotten over the fact that I had no hair and thought, why don’t I send it and see what happens?” And the worst thing that can happen has already happened. I mean, I do. “I have cancer, so what else can happen?”
Anna not only took part, she also won!
She is the reigning Miss Alexandria Fair of Alexandria Fairgrounds Kentucky and suddenly an inspiration to everyone who sees her. She was crowned at the Alexandria Fair & Horse Show.
Anna’s message now is: “Be kind to everyone because you never know what they are going through. Although some may be obvious because they may be bald.”
Anna has a long battle ahead of her: more chemo, then radiation, but she’s already planning for the state competition in January. This beauty queen is unstoppable.
“My name is Anna Ferris and I am Ms. Alexandria Fair 2023. And I am strong,” Anna said.
“My daughter is Anna Ferris and she is a fighter. And she is blessed,” Wendy said.
Despite all of this, Anna is still taking online classes at Western Kentucky. Anna always wanted to be a pediatrician. She says this battle with cancer made her want to help children even more.
