14-07-2025
Liberty 9-year-old battling cancer competes for national title
LIBERTY, Mo. — 9-year-old Atticus Anderson from Liberty landed a spot in the semi-finals of the National Junior Ranger competition. The competition celebrates kids who love wildlife and nature.
Atticus was diagnosed with B-cell lymphoma in September of last year. Despite his battle with cancer, he wanted to compete for the title of National Jr. Ranger and has excelled to the semi-finals.
'It really motivated him. It boosted his confidence. He wasn't thinking about the cancer treatments that he had to go through every week. He was thinking about this contest and how he could get more votes. He was going out to businesses, taking fliers, asking for votes,' his mom, Veronica Salas, said.
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The competition is for kids who love to explore and spend time in nature.
'I was just born in it since my dad explored, and my dad's dad explored, and my dad's dad's dad explored,' Atticus said when asked what led to his love for nature and exploring.
Atticus loves rock climbing and fishing. He's also fascinated by ecosystems.
'I like the quietness. I enjoy searching for cool crystals and other interesting items. So, like axolotls,' he said.
His mom, Veronica, says the community support has been overwhelming.
'From family to friends, the Liberty Community, his school, and the staff at Children's Mercy. I work at Liberty Hospital, so the staff there as well. Just all around local businesses helping him,' Salas said.
Salas says that the same support has been shown since he was diagnosed with cancer.
'Neighbors, friends, and family reaching out, how can I help? Can I give him a ride, or bring you a meal, or how can we support you? Just being there has made this journey very bearable,' Salas explained.
The winner of the competition will meet and learn from wildlife expert Jeff Corwin and be featured in the Ranger Rick magazine.
They'll also take home $20,000.
'I'll put $3,000 into a cancer charity, especially for my kind of lymphoma. Stage two blood cancer,' Atticus said when asked what he would do if he won.
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Voting in the semi-finals will end on Thursday, July 17th. Atticus needs to be in first place to move on to the final round.
You can vote for Atticus here.
'You can vote for free every 24 hours. So I encourage everyone to vote every 24 hours for free or make a donation. A $10 donation would give him more votes, and the proceeds help Junior Rangers and the National Wildlife Federation,' Salas explained.
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