NEIGHBORS OFFER HELP

When Buford Filer was diagnosed with low-grade lymphoma four years ago, the news wasn't good. Doctors told him the cancer was terminal.

But as Filer and his wife, Alice, have struggled with the illness, their neighbors have stepped into help with everyday tasks.

"During the time I've had the illness, they've been mowing the lawn, doing odd jobs. They've been very, very gracious," Buford Filer said.

The Jackson couple say they're lucky to be surrounded by such caring neighbors.

"They're just really good," Alice Filer said. "They pull together really good."

Since Buford Filer was diagnosed, he's undergone six different types of chemotherapy, Alice Filer said, "and they didn't work."

Later this month, he'll begin an antibody therapy at Barnes Hospital in St. Louis.

Since the beginning of the year, Buford Filer has been hospitalized six times, and he goes back to the hospital periodically for blood transfusions.

"He's just very tired and weak and sometimes he just doesn't feel like getting out," Alice Filer said.

The Filers have had their share of tragedy, and kindness. When their son, John, died last year at the age of 37, church members rallied to help his wife, Mary Jo, and their four young children.

Now Buford and Alice Filer have learned for themselves what a difference good neighbors make.

Roy McLain, who lives down the street from the Filers, mows their lawn once a week, and sometimes twice. When he is out of town, his brother, Richard, who lives nearby, takes over the chore.

"He's just a good neighbor and a close friend, and we got close just by being neighbors," Roy McLain said. "When he came down with the lymphoma, I just decided I'd help him out and cut the grass."

"They're all nice neighbors down here," he said. "We all get along real well."

And neighbor Carson Loafman regularly brings chicken and dumplings "and he always brings enough for Mary Jo and her family," Alice Filer said.

The neighbors "all bring in goodies to tempt my husband. They come in and sit with him if I need to go anywhere. They call and say they're going to the grocery store; do I need anything," she said. "All of our neighbors are extremely good."