SIDNEY, Neb. — Residents across the Sidney region are coming together to support a Lodgepole family as their young son battles a rare and aggressive cancer.

A dinner and auction fundraiser for two-year-old Beckett Block will take place on Friday, Feb. 28, at the Sidney Elk’s Lodge at 1040 Jackson St. The "Beckett Tough" event will feature a freewill donation dinner, cash bar, raffle, and both silent and live auctions. Doors open at 4:30 p.m., with dinner served from 5 to 7 p.m. and the auction to follow.

Beckett, the son of BJ and Jacki Block, was diagnosed with high-risk stage 4 neuroblastoma after doctors discovered a tumor on his kidney. The cancer has since spread to his skull and bones, requiring an intensive treatment plan that includes high-dose chemotherapy, surgeries and a bone marrow transplant. Beckett’s parents, both working professionals—BJ as a UPS driver and Jacki as an administrative assistant and nurse aide at Sidney Regional Medical Center Pole Creek Estates—have been by his side through the grueling medical journey.

Before his diagnosis, Beckett enjoyed all the typical joys of childhood: playing with his trucks in the dirt, following his dad around and watching trains—his favorite activity. In August 2024, he also became a big brother to Rowan, who was born prematurely and spent 39 days in the NICU. The two formed an instant bond, but their time together was cut short when Beckett was flown to Children’s Hospital in Denver for treatment.

Community members are encouraged to attend the fundraiser and help support the Block family through this challenging time. Those unable to attend can still contribute by contacting event organizers Carolyn Stoll at (308) 249-0976 or Gina Christensen at (308) 249-6435. 

For updates and additional ways to help, supporters can join the Facebook event by searching “Beckett Tough Dinner and Auction Fundraiser.”

A t-shirt fundraiser is also going on through Shirt Tales where people can purchase shirts with Beckett's official "Beckett Tough" logo on them. Proceeds from the shirt sales go directly to the family.