Jessica Colucci, a student at St. Cornelius School, was diagnosed in April 2014 with Acute Myeloid Leukemia, a disease that strikes fewer than 500 children every year. View Full Caption Facebook

JEFFERSON PARK — Friends and family members of a 12-year-old Jefferson Park girl suffering from a rare cancer are asking for help.

Jessica Colucci, a student at St. Cornelius School, was diagnosed in April 2014 with Acute Myeloid Leukemia, a disease that strikes fewer than 500 children every year. Since then, her family has watched medical and other bills mount, said Katherine Divita, an organizer and St. Cornelius parent.

Heather Cherone says the neighborhood is rallying behind Jessica:

Jessica's treatment at the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago has put a tremendous financial strain on her parents, Dominick, a 20-year-veteran of the Chicago Police Department, and Jennifer, who hasn't been able to work since her daughter's diagnosis, Divita said. The family also has three boys, Dominick, 15, Lucas, 9, and Kyle, 2.

To help cover those expenses, a benefit for the family will take place from 6 p.m. to midnight Nov. 8 at St. Cornelius Church Hall, 5430 W. Foster Ave.

Items are needed for the silent auction and raffle that are scheduled to take place, as well as food, beverages and ice, Divita said.

Donations can be made online as well.

For more information, call Marti Swendsen at 773-413-7314 or email donationsforjessicashope@gmail.com.

For more Northwest Side news from Heather Cherone, listen here: