Rocking out to beat cancer in Ingleside

Frank Amanti couldn't talk about the community support his daughter has received during her ongoing cancer battle without shedding a tear.

"It's overwhelming," he said Sunday. "The way family and friends have rallied for Jessica - we're so grateful."

Jessica Amanti, a 15-year-old sophomore at Lakes Community High School in Lake Villa, was diagnosed in October with a form of leukemia that friends say is rare in adolescents. She's going through chemotherapy treatments now, part of a regimen that is expected to last more than two years.

On Sunday, friends and family packed J's Sports Bar and Grill in Ingleside to raise money for the medical bills related to Jessica's care. The main attraction was a live performance by Alternate Past, the rock band that includes Jessica's dad on drums.

"I had no choice in this," Frank Amanti said with a smile. "It was all organized by the wives of the band members. It's great to see so many people here. It really helps to have friends around you at a time like this."

The fundraiser, titled "Rock Out to Help Jessica Rock On," included raffles, a silent auction and food/drink specials. The bar was filled with people for much of Sunday afternoon.

Organizers of the fundraiser said that since Jessica's diagnosis, her mother and father have had to take significant time off work to be with her at the hospital. In addition, their health plans can't cover all the procedures and specialists that Jessica needs.

"The medical costs are steep," said Michelle Riportella, a friend of the Amantis and one of the organizers of Sunday's event.

Jessica and her mother, Terry, couldn't attend Sunday's fundraiser because Jessica was in treatment. Her older brother, James Amanti, said he was thrilled to see so many support his sister.

"In a lot of ways, what's happening with Jessica is still sinking in for me," he said. "But something like this makes it easier to take."

Sunday's event was part of a larger ongoing effort to help the Amanti family. An online fundraising page has been set up at gofundme.com/JessicaAmanti, and additional fundraising events are in the works.

Riportella said the efforts to date have already raised about $5,000, half of the goal of $10,000.