TILTON — When someone is hit with a serious illness, friends and family tend to rally around that person.

That’s what Toni Barnes of Tilton has discovered as she battles lung cancer.

Her friend, Paulette Parrish, and family plan a benefit on Feb. 10 at Sarge’s Tap to help with Barnes’ mounting medical expenses.

“You really find out how your friends and family are there for you,” Barnes said.

“I’ve been trying to stay upbeat. With everyone gathering around me, it helps.”

Barnes, 49, was diagnosed with lung cancer in October, and is on medical leave from her job as an endloader at Allerton Supply Co. in Fairmount.

She has undergone 30 radiation and six chemotherapy treatments so far, and started a new round of intense chemo last week. The tumor on her lung is inoperable.

The good news is that the tumor has shrunk 40 percent, Parrish said.

“We’re hoping we’re going to beat the odds,” she said. “It’s hard to believe something so small can control our lives.”

Barnes said, “My doctor’s very proud of the way I’m going. I’m going to beat it.”

Parrish and Barnes have been roommates for 15 years, and have been smokers since they were teenagers.

After the diagnosis, both have stopped smoking with the help of nicotine patches.

“If she was going to quit, I would have to quit,” Parrish said.

Barnes’ mother died of lung cancer.

Barnes is the daughter of Walter Barnes of Crawfordsville, Ind., and the late Bob and Sandy Darnell.

Barnes has had a good support system throughout her illness. Besides friends and co-workers, her family is behind her, including three sisters, a brother, and a grown son and daughter. She also has a 2-year-old grandson.

An aunt, Marna Guiliani of Westville, has been taking her to treatments and ordering wigs for her.

Barnes hopes she feels well enough to attend the benefit.

A busy benefit

A nephew, Shane Overshiner, 14, of Westville, and his band will perform, as well as the Pub Slugs.

Also performing will be the Crystal River Band with Foy Parrish of Ludlow, a former member of the Parrish Brothers country-music group. The Parrish Brothers are members of the Country Music Hall of Fame in Alabama and Minnesota.

Foy Parrish is Paulette’s uncle; his sons make up the Crystal River Band. Paulette’s father, Curtis, also an original member of the Parrish Brothers, lives in Alabama.

Parrish, manager at Long John Silver’s, said a variety of high-quality items will be auctioned or raffled. Among them are a Wii system with five games, a pool table, Travis Tritt tickets, two Illini tickets, two family circus tickets, four wrestling tick-ets, a recording session and jewelry. Baskets will be raffled and auctioned, with items relating to golf, pets, and children; one contains tools and another has services offered by Midas.

Food includes Italian beef, pulled pork, chili, cole slaw and bread, as well as a cake auction.

Barnes thanked everyone who has helped out in any way, and urged people to attend.

“I hope everybody comes,” she said. “We’ll make it fun.”

COMING UP

A benefit to help Toni Barnes with medical expenses will start at 1 p.m. Feb. 10 at Sarge’s Tap/Spanky’s Banquet Hall, 409 E. Main St. The evening features bands, a raffle, food, live auction and silent auction. Admission is $5.

To donate items for the auction or raffle, or to help in other ways, contact Paulette Parrish at 443-1308 or 442-3211.

Also, a fund has been set up in Barnes’ name at the Education Personnel Federal Credit Union, 1102 N. Walnut St.