Death of a homeless boy

The Star Tribune’s Gail Rosenblum yesterday profiled the sad story of Blake Anderson, a 17-year-old with leukemia and no home. His mother hasn’t been able to pay rent on apartments while trying to get him health care for his leukemia:

Blake, a senior at Mounds View High School in Arden Hills, missed most of his freshman and sophomore years. A tutor keeps him current and he hopes to walk with his class at graduation. Friends send him messages via Facebook, he said. He’d like to return to school part time, but his energy level is unpredictable.

“Sometimes I can walk the whole day,” said Blake, wearing multicolored M&M pajama pants. “The next day, I feel like somebody drained all my energy out of me.”

Today, the young man died, according to Hearts and Hands, the organization that helped provide support services to the family:

Hearts and Hands has set up a dedicated fund to help Blake’s mother, Michelle. She is a single parent and is currently homeless. Funds will be used to help Michelle get back on her feet. Losing a child is a heartbreaking, life changing event and Michelle has a difficult road ahead of her. She was a dedicated, loving mother to Blake who gave all she had for his care. Please help. 100% of your contribution to this fund will be given to Michelle. If you are contributing by check, please send to Blake Anderson Fund c/o Hearts and Hands, 2608 Blaisdell Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55408