Employees at the Verso Stevens Point Mill showed their solidarity for the daughter of a coworker. (submitted photo)

By Gazette /City Times staff

STEVENS POINT – Employees at the Verso Stevens Point Mill showed their solidarity for the daughter of a coworker recovering from surgery.

Elaine Rees, a sophomore at Auburndale High School, went to the doctor on Aug. 1 for a blurry vision condition.

While there, the 16-year-old was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML).  She started chemotherapy treatments that same day.

After two intense rounds of chemo, Elaine had a bone marrow transplant on Nov. 16 in Milwaukee, requiring a long hospital stay.

Elaine is the daughter of TJ and Becky Rees, and the eldest of eight children. TJ is on the staff at the Stevens Point mill.

“The Rees family is grateful for the prayers, support and generosity of family, friends and the community,” said a mill staff member. “They have many challenges ahead and the journey is not easy, but knowing we are ‘STRONGER TOGETHER’ helps.  A local printer designed a t-shirt to support Elaine and leukemia research, donating the proceeds from the t-shirt sales directly to the Rees family.

 To learn more about Elaine’s journey, visit www.caringbridge.org and search for Elaine Rees. A GoFundMe account has also been set up for medical expenses. Those wishing to send greeting cards to Elaine may send them to 7425 Bluff Drive, Arpin, WI, 54410.