Bake sale benefit for Aubrey Deno

LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - A group of Purdue students are taking a class project and turning it into a fundraiser.

The students are hoping a little bake sale will go a long way toward the medical bills and transportation expenses, of 15-month-old Aubrey Deno.

The toddler was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia last summer and has been toted back and forth to Riley Children's Hospital since. 

Event Co-organizer Nikki Jacobs said her communications class at Purdue needed to organize an 'Impactful Event' and tiny Aubrey's fight for life inspired them.

"We went over and interviewed Aubrey's parents Lacey and Dustin. We went over and made sure it was okay with them before we did it and they were very appreciative and said that it would be perfect," said Jacobs. 

Jacobs set a goal to raise between $700 to $1,000 off the baked goods sale.

"A lot of people donated Panera Bread, Bakers Peak and a lot of local people made baked goods for us to sell," said Jacobs. 

Jacobs said there is good news coming from the Deno family: a bone marrow donor has been found, and the transplant is scheduled to take place the week of Thanksgiving.

Aubrey's Great-Aunt Deb Deno said finding a bone marrow match is renewed strength for the family.

"We are very happy that there was a gracious donor. A lot of the members of our family have become donors because of Aubrey. We hope we can help another family," said Deb Deno.