LIBERTY TOWNSHIP — For the past 15 months, Liz Marksteiner has been trying to bring some fun to her battle with cancer. On Saturday, community members plan to bring some fun to her.

        St. Maximilian Kolbe Catholic Church, of Liberty Township, will sponsor the “Snowflake Spectacular” to benefit the 16-year-old Liz, who has started an experimental treatment estimated to cost more than $460,000.

IF YOU GO

What: “Snowflake Spectacular: A Spirit-Filled Social for Liz Marksteiner.”   When: Saturday at 7:30 p.m.   Where: St. Max Parish Center at 5720 Hamilton-Mason Road, Liberty Township.   Admission: $5 students, $10 adults, $25 families.

        “To the Marksteiners, the support is more important than the money,” said organizer Lakme Kodros.

        The event will feature DJ Steve Von Wahdel, the St. Max Children's Choir, and the contemporary ensemble group Reign. Santa and his helpers will be on hand for pictures and there will be raffle prizes.

        “It was absolutely overwhelming to be on the receiving end of so much goodwill and kindness,” said Liz's mother, Cathy Marksteiner Liz, of Liberty Township, was diagnosed with non- Hodgkin's lymphoma in August 2000 on her first day of high school at Mount Notre Dame High School. She's now a sophomore. Since then, she has undergone several unsuccessful treatments including surgery, radiation and stem-cell and bone marrow transplants.

        Now, Liz is receiving an experimental type of antibody therapy at Children's Hospital Medical Center. The treatment has been successfully used in some types of cancer, but has never been tried on the form of cancer attacking Liz. The treatment is estimated to cost more than $460,000.

        Mrs. Marksteiner said the treatment has been encouraging. For the first time in a long time, there has been no sign of new cancer growth.

        “When we're at the stage that we're at, we're just thankful for the crumbs,” she said.

        Liz has been very involved in her treatments, actively discussing her case with her doctors.

        “She has found a way to go on living and living well,” Mrs. Marksteiner said. “She loves to participate in life.”

        When Liz lost her hair from radiation, she asked her mother to paint eyes on the back of her head and then moonwalked her way through the corridors of Children's.

        “Liz has found a way to make cancer funny,” Mrs. Marksteiner said.

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