Spaghetti benefit dinner this Friday for twice-stricken leukemia patient

ROYAL CITY – Members of the Grant County community will have the opportunity this Friday to come to the aid of twice-stricken leukemia patient Michelle Wallace.

Wallace, 28, is a volunteer firefighter and emergency medical technician with the Grant County Volunteer Fire Department at Royal City. Living in Everett with her grandmother since March, she's been in nearly constant treatment in Seattle, and the bills mount.

This Friday, June 15, community members will be able to help out at the Royal Slope EMS Spaghetti Dinner and Silent Auction. It will be held from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Royal High School cafeteria. The suggested donation is $5 per individual or $20 per family.

According to firefighter-EMT Laura Roecks, the dinner will include spaghetti, Caesar salad and bread. And there will be a variety of cupcakes for dessert. Drinks will include coffee, lemonade and water.

Wallace beat leukemia in 2005, or so it seemed, with a transplant from her father Wes Wallace. She learned in March of this year that it had returned. Accompanied by her mother Kathie, she will live with her grandmother for the duration of this battle.

Wes Wallace remains in Royal City, working at Napa Auto Parts. Despite his efforts, the medical bill grows. With the little that insurance has covered and generous donations from the community, there are still huge medical bills to be covered.

The funds raised Friday will be deposited in the Michelle's Fight 2 account at U.S. Bank in Royal City. An on-going rifle raffle has raised $2,500 so far.

Tickets are still being sold. You may call EMT Brad Nelson at 750-1263 to make a purchase. The winner will be announced at the dinner.