WINS CARDINALS TICKETS. Seven-year-old Sullivan resident, Kaden Keller, is battling Leukemia and a benefit for him and his family is being planned for Oct. 24. A raffle of St. Louis Cardinals baseball tickets was held recently. Pictured, left, is winner, Danette Stumpe, receiving the tickets from committee member, Angie Blue

A seven-year-old Spring Bluff student is in the battle of his life and the local community is rallying behind the young boy.
On May 20, Kaden was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). Kaden’s parents, Jason and Liz Keller, Sullivan, were definitely caught off guard, but have not been alone during this difficult time. Friends, family and the community of Sullivan have come together to support them.
Friends and family are holding a benefit for Kaden to offset the financial strain incurred with the caring for a child with leukemia.
One of the first people to kick off the benefit for Kaden was Susan Heath, Johanning Real Estate, who donated four tickets to raffle for the St. Louis Cardinals Baseball game on Sept. 2. The raffle was held on Aug. 27 and the winner was Danette Stumpe, Leslie. The raffle was very well received with its success attributed to Heath’s generosity.
The Kaden Keller Benefit Auction will be held on Oct. 24 at the Sullivan Eagles Hall at 5 p.m. until 12 a.m. Tickets are $25 per person, which includes a silent and dessert auction at 6 p.m. Dinner will start at 6:30 p.m., oral auction at 8 p.m. with a dance to follow. Draft beer will be provided and a cash bar will be available at the event.
Advanced tickets may be purchased at Bank of Sullivan, First State Community Bank, Peoples Bank, Pack N’ Ship, Johanning Real Estate, Schmidtville Sports Bar and Grill, Spring Bluff School or from committee members, Angie Blue, Tracy Watters, Jill Wagner, Carrie George, Michelle Wehmeyer, Shannon Roderbeck, Nancy Lattimore, Andy and Kendra Bylo and Shelley Graeser.
A fund has been setup for Kaden with the Bank of Sullivan and First State Community Bank. Donations for the oral, silent and dessert auctions can be made by contacting any of the committee members.
Kaden is the son of Jason and Liz Keller, grandson of Linda and Myron Keller, Shelley and Jay Graeser and Steven and Rochelle Witt, and great-grandson of Sam and Fern Witt and Gloria and the late John Dallafior and Jeanette Graeser.
Kaden is currently undergoing chemotherapy at St. John’s Mercy Medical Center in Creve Coeur.