DU QUOIN - Life hasn't been easy for Abbi Williams, but the 2-year-old from rural Pinckneyville continues to battle and persevere.

Born with Down syndrome, Abbi and her family encountered another challenge in February, when she was diagnosed with the MDS form of leukemia. She spent the following six weeks receiving chemotherapy treatments at St. Louis Children's Hospital.

Abbi returned to her Perry County home for a while, and then had another one month stay in St. Louis, her mother Katie Patton said. Now, Abbi is receiving at-home chemo and only has to make one or two trips to the hospital each month.

But Abbi is not completely hospital free. Anytime Abbi comes down with a fever, she must be taken to the hospital, where she'll be admitted for a minimum of two to five days. In addition to accumulating medical and travel expenses, Katie has also lost a source of income.

"I can't really work any more because I'm taking her to the hospital so much," Katie said.

To help offset medical and travel costs, Abbi's family will be hosting a benefit dinner Saturday at the Du Quoin VFW, said Ellyn Patton, Abbi's aunt, of Nashville. The event will feature a chicken dinner, a silent auction, a raffle and entertainment.

Dinner will be served from 4-8 p.m. with entertainment to follow. The price of the event will be $8, and all proceeds will go toward medical and travel expenses for Abbi.

"She's doing great so far," Katie said of Abbi's medical battle.