Join a 'Day for Nicole Mendlik' April 21

Join a “Day for Nicole Mendlik” from 3 to 10 p.m. Saturday, April 21 at the Moose Lodge, 3535 N. Richmond Road (Route 31) in Johnsburg.

Aplastic anemia is an autoimmune disease that occurs when the bone marrow stops producing enough blood cells. It affects about 4 in every 1 million people.

Four-year-old Nicole Mendlik of Spring Grove was diagnosed with this disease last October. The benefit will help Nicole's family and support the National Marrow Donor Program, the Dan Jansen Foundation, and the hospitalized kids at Children's Hospital in Milwaukee.

McNulty Irish Dancers will perform at 5 p.m. The kids can meet the dancers afterward.

There also will be face painting, a live local band,

Time Machine, and bagpipers. The raffles will feature a lottery tree, Cubs tickets, a getaway weekend at Key Lime Cove and more.

Tickets will be available at the door for $10 or $5 for kids, age 6 and older. Kids under age 6 are admitted free.

You can follow Nicole's progress at Caringbridge.org, search for “NICOLEMENDLIK.”

Mr. Beef & Pizza in Mt. Prospect will be offering food.

A bone marrow donor registry and blood drive will be held throughout the event. Consider joining the National Marrow Donor Program, not only for Nicole but also for the thousands of other people in need. Nicole does not require a transplant at this time but may need one in the future, and she currently does not have a match. All that's required to sign up is a short questionnaire and cheek swab. For information, visit BeTheMatch.org.

For advance tickets or information, contact Ed Klein at rhinotile1234@gmail.com, Ray Mendlik Sr. at raybobi@aol.com, or Ray Mendlik Jr. at razor211@comcast.net.