Joseph Melville is 3 years old and was diagnosed on Nov. 17, 2005 with Neuroblastoma, a type of cancer that affects kids. For Melville, the tumor is in his stomach. Captain Paul Melville of the Southgate Volunteer Fire Department is Joseph’s dad and his family and friends are having a benefit for him called “Fill the Boot for JOE”.

“A committee of family, friends and firefighters meet on a Sunday nights to discuss a benefit for Joe and the Fill The Boot For JOE was one of the ideas we came up with to name the benefit,” said Joe’s cousin Courtney Kremer.

As for party favors, Courtney came up with the idea to Order Wristbands for the benefit.
“I thought that they would be something different and I knew they are very popular especially with Joe’s brother Jacob’s school mates and other people of the community,” said Kremer.

On March 18, 2006 at the Southgate Civic Center from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. friends and family will be hosting this benefit.

“My aunt Lisa started a letter asking for help to donate blood and several fire departments and family and friends have donated and continue to donate so Joe can get the transfusions he needs,” Kremer said.

Joe’s aunt Lisa is asking for people to donate an item to be used in a raffle, silent auction or live auction to raise money for Joe to get better.