Kickball benefit for Aubrey Deno

BROOK, Ind. (WLFI) - A small community in Newton County is coming together for a kickball tournament.

Kickball players in Brook are taking to the bases, in hopes that little Aubrey Deno will be able to kick cancer.

Teresa Beaver is the maternal grandmother of 15 month old Aubrey Deno. Beaver said on Aug 19th Aubrey was diagnosed with acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia and is now undergoing a second round of aggressive chemotherapy.

 "She is just a fighter. Really a trooper. She's doing really well considering she's going back in for surgery today. They have to replace her central line," said Beaver.

Word about little Aubrey's fight for her life spread to the town of Brook where the kickball benefit was organized.

Kevin Derflinger is one of the benefit organizers. He said when he started planning the event, just a few people expressed interest. Then word of the benefit spread.

"Our whole theme for this is called 'Kick the Cause', which is getting rid of the horrible, horrible cancer that she's got. We had 20 kickball teams signed up today. We just had so much help from so many people we can't even really say," said Derflinger.

And it's not just kickball, it's music, a silent auction and a live auction later, at night.

"The support has been, it's just been amazing, we just can't get over it, it is almost as overwhelming as the cancer itself," said Beaver.

Tracy Deno, Aubrey's paternal grandmother said,"It really is truly gratifying. It makes you feel like you are not alone. People are so giving of their time and money and efforts. It's just been, it just kind of restores your faith in people."

Aubrey's family said words can't really express their gratitude for the kickball benefit but the support they said was just as inspiring as little Aubrey.

"Just one little girl has changed so many people, in so many different ways," said Beaver.

The concert and auction in Brook won't end until late Saturday.