Picnic dinner at Daddio's in Batavia will benefit son of cook

He has been cooking for the community for years, standing at the grill at Daddio's Diner in Batavia cooking up bacon and eggs at breakfast and burgers at lunch.

Day in, day out, he does his job, smiling shyly for the customers and greeting those who ask about his family.

For 11 years, Felipe Cuanetl has been a part of the community, and for 11 years he has been dealing with the trials in life that no one should have to deal with.

Cuanetl is the father of three sons, Eddie, Victor and Cristian. When Victor was two weeks old, the family learned that he had a genetic liver disease and he required a liver transplant. The operation was done when the baby was a year old.

Then after the birth of his third child, he learned once again that a liver transplant was needed to save his baby son. This time the operation was performed when little Cristian was only six months old. A second transplant was required when Christian was four.

Since then there have been many trips to Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago. Many times the family, who lives in Montgomery, was fearful that little Christian wouldn't make it.

"Felipe comes to work every morning and he never complains," said Daddio's co-owner, Terry Beltran. "He puts on his work face and goes about doing his job."

"The customers don't want to see me sad," Cuanetl said. "And I need my job so I come to work and I try to be like everything is normal, but sometimes it is difficult, because you have to work, but you know your son could die."

In addition to worrying about his son, he worries about his bills. He is thankful many of the medicines are covered under the Kid Care program, but there are other out-of-pocket expenses that are still very high.

"One of the vitamins costs $140 a month and another is $70," Cuanetl said. "I tell my wife not to worry, that we will get by."

It is overwhelming for the humble father of three. He just shakes his head as if he doesn't know where to turn.

His wife, Kelly, had a job but had to give it up to care for Cristian. Daily nursing is required when he is home. When he is at the hospital she stays with him.

"When he was younger it was easier but now he is 9 and he understands what could happen," Felipe Cuanetl said. "He knows how sick he is and is scared."

Terry and Scott Beltran know the costs involved in having someone sick in the family. Scott, one of six children, lost his dad when he was only 14. Terry's mom suffered from heart disease and had open heart surgery, the second one in the Chicago area.

"Open heart surgery was very rare in those days," said Terry Beltran. "The community of Hillside had a fundraiser for our family."

Now the Beltrans are giving back to Felipe Cuanetl, a member of their Daddio's family. They plan to have a benefit dinner for Cristian Cuanetl from 4 to 8:30 p.m. Monday, May 3 at Daddio's, 134 W. Wilson St., Batavia. For $8, diners can get a sloppy joe, chips, brownie and beverage with 100 percent of the proceeds going to the Cuanetl family.

"There are so many expenses like gas and car expenses, parking and food, when you have a child in the hospital," said Terry Beltran. "When parents are dealing with a child who is so sick they shouldn't have to worry about expenses. We just wanted to try and do something to help out."

There will not be any carhop service, but there will be takeout available for those who want to run in and pick up the dinners.

"Cristian is only 9 years old and once again is in the fight for his life," said Terry Beltran.

Felipe Cuanetl tries to take each day as it comes and to be strong for his family.

"It's hard," he said, "but we can't just let him go, we have to keep fighting for him."

<p class="factboxtext12col"><b>If you go</b></p>

<p class="factboxtext12col"><b>What:</b> "Cooking For Christian," a benefit for Christian Cuanetl</p>

<p class="factboxtext12col"><b>When:</b> 4 to 8:30 p.m. Monday, May 3</p>

<p class="factboxtext12col"><b>Where:</b> Daddio's Diner, 134 W. Wilson, Batavia</p>

<p class="factboxtext12col"><b>Details:</b> The picnic dinner for $8 includes a sloppy joe,</p>

chips, brownie and beverage. Carryouts will be available.</p>

<p class="factboxtext12col"><b>Call:</b> (630) 879-5299</p>