From left, Cory Nalbone, Kathy Nalbone, Nichole Olvey and Mischelle Scott pose for a family photo. Submitted photo

Cancer can attack suddenly and without warning. Jamestown resident Kathy Nalbone was shocked when she was diagnosed with stage four breast cancer in July shortly after the funeral for her father.

Kathy Nalbone’s children decided to take action and help her mother pay for medical bills and living expenses incurred in her fight against cancer. A breast cancer benefit will be hosted Sunday from 2-8 p.m. with a spaghetti dinner from 3-6 p.m. at the Herman Kent Celoron Legion Post 777 at 26 Jackson Ave. in Jamestown.

A Chinese auction, 50/50 raffle and Barrel of Booze raffle will help raise money for Kathy Nalbone as well. T-shirts, can coolers and key rings will also be sold. Admission to the benefit is $10 per person and $5 per child 12 years and younger. Donations and items for the Chinese auction are being accepted.

“My mom has the biggest heart out of everybody I know,” Nichole Olvey, one of Kathy Nalbone’s daughters, said. “My mom is a 62-year-old hardworking single mom of us four and has helped raise our children. One word for my mom is strength. She never gives up on anyone she loves or anything she puts forth to do.”

Olvey said it is fulfilling and humbling to help give back to her mother since she said Kathy Nalbone has been the person her children and grandchildren can count on as the head of the family for years. Kathy Nalbone loves spending time with her four grown children and four grandchildren.

Olvey, Mischelle Scott, Cory Nalbone and Marv Yonkers knew they wanted to help their mom in her time of need, and they started planning the fundraising shortly after their mom’s diagnosis. The benefit coincides with breast cancer awareness month, but the family started an online fundraiser earlier, which those interested in donating can find at gofundme.com/benefit-for-kathy.

The #formomma campaign was started to spread awareness for Kathy Nalbone’s fight against cancer. After surgery, Nalbone started four months of chemotherapy and radiation. Treatment has prevented her from going back to work at Aldi, a place she has cashiered at for about 12 years since the location opened in Jamestown.

“She’s more upset about being out of work than she is having cancer,” Olvey said. “It’s a strength I never knew my mom had.”

Olvey expressed how impressed she was that her mother could smile through the treatments and only cry when she was diagnosed. Treatments have become more intense as the cancer has spread from her breast to her muscle, sternum, lungs and spine.

“I break down because I’m so scared I’m going to lose my mom,” Olvey said.

She said her mom spends her free time with family whenever possible. Olvey’s two children spend time with their grandmother. Kathy Nalbone is hopeful for the future.

“My mom cannot believe the help she’s getting and is eager to see anyone and everyone at the benefit,” Cory Nalbone said.

Music will be provided at the benefit by DJ Josh Brown, Wanderlust, Kathy’s Krusaders, Amanda Barton, Brian K. Chase and South 40.

T-shirts will be sold for $10 each, and Barrel of Booze raffle tickets are $5. Someone will win a wheelbarrow full of donated alcoholic beverages. A $1,000 grill package will also be raffled off along with a barbecue kit and gift baskets donated by various local businesses and wineries.