Benefit to help teens battle cancer

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Instead of worrying about who they'll take to prom or what college they'll get into, Carson Peters, Brandon Garner and Dustin Heaton have bigger things on their minds.

All three 17-year-olds have been diagnosed with cancer.

The boys' classmates at Sikeston High School set out to do something to help and are working to raise money to show their support and concern. When Pat Taylor, her sister Judy Hobbs and Kathy Pelczynski got wind of what the students were doing, they were so touched they began brainstorming themselves.

They've come up with a benefit spaghetti dinner which they are asking the community to support as a way of reaching out to the Sikeston teens and their families.

The meal will be served from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. May 3 in the Sikeston High School cafeteria. Tickets are $6 for adults and $3 for children. Carry-outs will be available.

The money raised will be used to help the families pay for the cost of treatments and transportation to and from the hospital.

Turned into a mission

Taylor said the event has become much more than a dinner. It's turned into a full-fledged mission with support pouring in from every corner of the community. Not a day has gone by since the women starting making plans that someone hasn't offered to help, organizers said.

"It's bad enough when older people are diagnosed with cancer, but when it's a young person, it breaks your heart. We just wanted to continue what was started, and it's unbelievable what people are doing," said Taylor. "There are just a lot of concerned people in Sikeston who want to reach out and help."

The tickets are available at Senior High School, First State Bank and Trust, Edward Jones Investments and Progressive Farm Credit in Sikeston, Scott County Sheriff's Office in Benton or at the door the night of the event.

Peters, a sophomore, was diagnosed two months ago with leukemia. Currently he is at home and will continue trips back and forth to St. Jude Children's Hospital in Memphis for checkups and tests.

Garner is a junior who was diagnosed with bone cancer about three months ago. He had surgery and is now home, taking daily shots and medications. He is going to St. Louis Children's Hospital at two-week intervals which he will continue for at least four more months.

Heaton, a senior, was diagnosed with leukemia about two months ago. He is currently at St. Jude Children's Hospital.