JAY — The family and friends of Camryn “Cami” Sue Allen are holding a benefit spaghetti dinner and dance on Saturday, April 20, at the Amvets Hall. All proceeds will go toward assisting her family with insurance co-pays, deductibles and other expenses.

The dinner will be from 5 to 7 p.m. and the dance is from 8 p.m. to midnight. Admission for the dinner and dance is $15 per person or $25 per couple. The cost of just the spaghetti dinner will be $7.

There will be several raffles generously donated by many individuals and businesses in the surrounding area as well as a 50/50 the night of the benefit.

Dance tickets will be sold in advance and can be purchased at All That Jazz in Rumford, and the Amvets Hall and Fabian Oil, both in Jay. Tickets can also be obtained by contacting Mary Allen at 562-7189, Robin Mastine at 897-3050 and Annie or Ronald Russell at 369-0009.

Cami is the daughter of Robert Jr. and Sarah Allen. Robert Jr. grew up in Jay and Canton. He is a Dirigo High School graduate. Sarah grew up in Hartford and Dixfield and graduated from Buckfield High School. Grandparents are Robert Sr. and Mary Allen of Dixfield, Karen Allen of Jay and James Bryant of Canton. Great-grandparents are Ronald and Annie Russell of Rumford and Myrtle Allen of Jay.

Cami was born with a rare liver disease called biliary atresia, which led to cirrhosis and liver failure. At 5 months old and after four major surgeries, she underwent a liver transplant. Prior to her transplant, Cami had stopped gaining weight and was jaundiced. She was unable to feed well, sleep or be physically comfortable in any position.

After the transplant, she began to grow, develop and play. However, after a short period of time, she developed Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder and began chemotherapy treatments due to exposure to the EBV virus from her new liver.

Although she is behind for her age, her prognosis is good and she is once again thriving and developing rapidly into a happy 1 year old. Camryn has gone through a lot in her short lifetime, but is looking forward to a bright and normal childhood. Her major interest in life is her big sister Reese, who turned 2 in February.

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