Dinner, dance to benefit young cancer patient

A dinner and dance is being held Saturday night at the American Legion Post 25 to benefit a 6-year-old Clovis girl suffering from Hodgkins Lymphoma.

Anastacia Bustamante is at a Lubbock hospital and will require chemotherapy and extensive medical treatment, according to her great aunt, Teresa Chavez.

Chavez said her niece, Jennifer Chavez, a single mother of three, is unable to work because of the commute to Lubbock to be with her daughter.

The disease, which was diagnosed about two months ago, has rapidly moved into Anastacia’s lungs and stomach. The chemotherapy will require a two- to three-week stay in Lubbock and there has been talk of starting radiation treatment soon, which will prolong hospitalization, Teresa Chavez said.

The emotional and financial toll the illness is taking on family is great, she said.

“(Jennifer’s) just barely trying to make ends meet herself. It’s awful,” Chavez said.

Chavez was able to give her niece $150 from a recent raffle held at the American Legion and is hopeful Saturday’s benefit will help ease the young family’s strain a little more, she said.

Randy Lopez, commander of the American Legion Post 25, said his group mobilized to help the little girl and her family, who are related to a member of the post.

All the proceeds from the dance will go to Anastacia’s family, Lopez said.

“That’s just what veterans do to help veterans (and their families) out in Clovis,” Lopez said.

• What: Benefit dinner and dance

• When: Dinner, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.; dance, 9 p.m. to midnight.

• Where: American Legion Post 25 on Seventh Street

• Entertainment: Grupo Eclipse.

• Tickets: $10

• Information: Teresa Chavez at 309-9580 or at the door.