BENEFIT PLANNED FOR CHILD WITH RARE FORM OF CANCER

BENTON -- Growing up sandwiched between four brothers, 6-year-old Kelsi Essner naturally devotes her free time to soccer, T-ball and PlayStation games. "She's a typical tomboy," her mother, Laura, says.

"She is no fan of Barbie."

Lately, Kelci has had to spend some of her time at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn., where doctors are trying to rid her of a childhood cancer called Wilm's tumor.

Wilm's tumor is a cancer of the kidney that annually occurs in about 500 U.S. children under the age of 11.

The tumor was discovered in a CAT scan after Kelsi had her appendix removed Oct. 30. The tumor and one of her kidneys were removed the day before Thanksgiving.

Kelsi had to have radiation treatment because the tumor had burst in a fall at school. She now is undergoing chemotherapy in Memphis at three-week intervals.

Kelsi is the daughter of Laura and Ronnie Essner, who live between Benton and New Hamburg. Laura is a homemaker and Ronnie is an electrician at Lone Star Industries in Cape Girardeau.

Medication is controlling Kelsi's nausea at this point.

"She's doing really good but they had to do the head shave because she'd lost so much hair," Laura said.

The kindergartner at Kelly School can return to school if she feels well enough, Laura said, adding that the effectiveness of the anti-nausea medication usually decreases as the chemotherapy continues. Until May she will have to be hospitalized in Memphis every third week for chemotherapy. She is home for Christmas.

Her class made her a videotape to wish her a merry Christmas and is learning about what is happening to her because of the cancer.

Friends, family members and church members are organizing benefits to help relieve some of the pressures that accompany Kelsi's illness. A bake sale and raffle on their behalf were held last week at their church, St. Denis Catholic Church in Benton.

An auction and dance will be held Saturday, Jan. 8 at the St. Lawrence Catholic Church Parish Center in New Hamburg. Doors will open at 6 p.m., and the auction will begin 7. There also will be a raffle.

The dozen organizers are collecting auction items. Anyone who wants to donate an item or make a donation can do so by calling Karen Seyer at 545-3728 or Ray Dowd at 887-3744.

No one knows if Kelsi will feel well enough to attend the benefit.

Ronnie has medical insurance, but friends and relatives have organized the benefit to help cover costs and eventualities insurance doesn't cover.

"The main reason we're doing the benefit is because the father is the only one who works, and the family has five small children," says Seyer.

"We wanted to have the benefit so if Kelsi would get worse he would be able to take off work and spend time with her."

They also want to help with the cost of the trips to Memphis.

The Essners' other children, Ryan, Lance, Ross and Seth, range in age from 8 to 1.

Laura, who was studying nursing part-time at Southeast until Kelsi became sick, describes the past two months as "a roller coaster ride. There have been good days and bad."

The caring shown Kelsi and her family has helped, she said.

"We have lots of family support, and the community and churches have been wonderful."