Injured Athlete Wins Support

Well-wishers flooded Cal State Fullerton with phone calls and e-mails Monday offering financial assistance to a promising basketball player who was gunned down and left paralyzed after being mistaken for a gang member.

Rodney Anderson, 19, was visiting his family in Los Angeles when a gang member opened fire, striking him three times. A story in Sunday’s Los Angeles Times recounted Anderson’s struggle to recover and his determination to walk again one day.

“My phone has been ringing off the hook,” said Tracy Kitchel, an assistant director for athletics at Fullerton, who is coordinating fund-raising efforts on Anderson’s behalf. “People just want to help.”

Michael Cooper, a Westminster contractor, is one of many who decided to reach out to Anderson. He said Monday he planned to donate $100 because he wanted to honor Anderson’s spirit and the young man’s strong family ties.

“Despite everything that’s happened, he’s still fighting, he’s still going for it,” Cooper said. “I didn’t see him shrinking back from the challenge of what his life is going to be about. It’s so heartwarming to see that strength of family.”

Ticket sales from Cal State Fullerton’s season-opening basketball game Wednesday night will also be donated to the fund. Anderson is expected to attend.

“We’re hoping we get 1,500 to 2,000 people there,” Kitchel said. So far, the fund has raised about $25,000, Kitchel said. The immediate goal is to raise $40,000 for a specialized van, which would allow Anderson’s mother to transport him and his wheelchair to his therapy sessions. The family’s compact car makes traveling to therapy difficult.

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Donations can be sent to the Rodney Anderson Medical Assistance Fund, Cal State Fullerton, 2600 E. Nutwood Ave., Suite 850, Fullerton, Calif. 92831, Attention: Tracy Kitchel. Kitchel can be reached at (714) 278-4446.