Courtesy Photo­Image Emily Stadler, August 2011

Courtesy Photo­Image Justin Davies

A Mexican food benefit will be held June 1 for the families of John and Denise Stadler and Lee and Kim Davies.

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Children in both families were recently diagnosed with leukemia. Both families are traveling frequently to Denver, Colo. for treatment, which will probably last for years.

Emily Stadler, daughter of John and Denise Stadler, is 10-years-old and in the fourth grade at McDaid Elementary. She is in a family of six children.

Emily was diagnosed three weeks ago and is currently at the Denver Children's Hospital, undergoing 30-days of intense, phase one treatments. She will receive treatments for as long as 30 months.

Justin Davies is two-years-old and has four older siblings who attend McDaid. He was diagnosed with leukemia in late March. He is home from the first phase of treatment, but will return to Denver every week for six weeks and will undergo twice-monthly treatments for up to three and a half years.

The couples split up for the first round of treatments, with mom in Denver and dad taking care of the home front.

Friends and family have pitched in.

"We've learned a lot about the disease but we've also learned a lot about how supportive the community is," Lee Davies said. "We've received a lot of help from family, friends and acquaintances."

Denise Stadler has been touched by the same sort of outpouring.

"We appreciate the support," she said. "We're amazed. North Platte always gets behind people who have these kinds of problems."

Anyone wishing to help or donate with the meal may contact Jennifer Caudillo at 308-520-0425 or caudillojen@gmail.com or Stephanie Dilley at 308-539-0175 or stephdilley@hotmail.com.

The meal will be held from 5-8 p.m. at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, hosted by families from the North Platte Police Department and the North Platte Catholic Schools.

There will be home-cooked Mexican food plus a silent auction. The cost is $5 per plate. Proceeds will be divided between the families.

To learn more about Emily Stadler's treatment and supporters, see caringbridge.org/visit and enter emilyannestadler.