Jean Vanier once said, “One of the marvelous things about community is that it enables us to welcome people and help people in a way we couldn’t as individuals.”

The Andalusia and Covington County community has done just that the past two days for a local girl fighting leukemia.

Megan Kelley, who graduated from Andalusia High School last year, and who spent a good portion of her senior year near the hospital in Birmingham after fighting Ewing’s Sacroma, was declared cancer free and in remission only to find out she had leukemia in the fall, received news no family wants to hear on Wednesday.

Still, the outpouring of community support has been second to none.

When the Star-News went to press, nearly 800 comments and more than 2,200 likes were given to a posting from Kelley’s family asking for continued prayers during this difficult time.

“We didn’t get the news we wanted. We will be coming home tomorrow with hospice care. Please continue to pray for our family , especially Megan. during this difficult time. We are not giving up! God is still on the throne! Thanks for your prayers and all your support.”

When Monroeville-based Pilots for Christ brought Kelley back to Andalusia, a crowd of approximately 70 people gathered at South Alabama Regional Airport to show their support for her.

A rainbow appeared in the sky as the plane landed, bringing Kelley home.

At Straughn Elementary School on Thursday, students made the smiling beauty “thinking of you cards” to show they care. (See Page 2, for photos of students making cards).