Medical research benefit Sunday in Cambridge

A benefit in Cambridge Sunday to help find a cure for SMA (spinal muscular atrophy) honors Jeana Jones Kinley, center, above, the daughter of Bernie and Mary Lou Jones of Cambridge, who has had the condition since she was a young girl. (Courtesy photo)

CAMBRIDGE, Neb. -- A benefit supper, live music, raffle and auctions in Cambridge, Nebraska, Sunday evening will raise funds to help find a cure for spinal muscular atrophy.

The benefit honors Jeana Jones Kinley, the daughter of Bernie and Mary Lou Jones of Cambridge, who has had the condition since she was a young child.

SMA robs its victims of physical strength by affecting the motor nerve cells in the spinal cord, taking away the ability to walk, eat or breathe. The cause and effective therapies are known, and science is now on the verge of breakthroughs that will eventually lead to a cure.

Organizers plan the benefit at Bernie Jones Auto in Cambridge, from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m.

Supper will be furnished, and Ron Scott, Ginger tenBensel, Mary Lou Jones and Larry Foster will provide musical entertainment.

Raffle items include a 22-caliber Ruger rifle, Husker football tickets, a wildlife photograph by Max, Nebraska, photographer Bill Coe and six bags of NuTech seed corn.

A silent auction is planned, along with a "Pie in the Face" toss.

At 7 p.m., fire pits designed and built by Besler Industries of Cambridge will be sold in a live auction.