Benefit a big hit

While their friend remains hospitalized in a Twin Cities hospital awaiting a lifesaving stem cell transplant, three Brainerd High School seniors found their own way to help her and her family.

Stephanie Zelinske, a BHS senior who turned 18 on Monday, was diagnosed Sept. 15 with Myelodysplastic syndrome, a type of leukemia, and since then has been hospitalized at the University of Minnesota Medical Center-Fairview in Minneapolis. When her health improves, Zelinske will undergo a stem cell transplant and will have to remain hospitalized for 100 days following the transplant. She also will have a lengthy recovery period.

In a two-week span, Kelsey Kunde, Allie Donnay and Brandi Blowers, Zelinske's friends and classmates, organized a spaghetti dinner benefit and silent auction at BHS on Wednesday night, something the girls had never done before.

They raised $5,304.90 to help with Zelinske's medical expenses.

They said they went through 49 pounds of spaghetti noodles and 40 pounds of ground beef to serve 293 people who attended the benefit.

"Planning it was a lot of stress, but it was so worth it," said Kunde.

Donnay said at one point they ran out of bread but someone quickly made a trip to the grocery store and the problem was resolved.

A fund also has been set up for Zelinske. Donations may be made to the Stephanie Zelinske benefit fund at any Wells Fargo bank location.

Zelinske is the daughter of Steve "Beaver" and Paula Zelinske of Brainerd.

JODIE TWEED can be reached at jodie.tweed@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5858.