BAY MINETTE, Ala. — Three fundraisers will be held over the next three weekends in Bay Minette for a 16-year-old cancer survivor who has Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.

Emlie Vaughn was diagnosed in late February and has been fighting ever since, according to family members.

She is undergoing chemotherapy at USA Children’s and Women’s Hospital for stage-three cancer, in this case, a mass above her heart.

Dessa Curtis, a family friend, has headed up fundraising efforts to help the family pay for medical treatments, stay at the Ronald McDonald House and other expenses.

The first is a yard sale that will be held Saturday. Next, a womanless beauty pageant is scheduled for Saturday, April 16. Finally, barbecue plates will be sold for $5 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 23.

All events will be held at Rooster’s at 702 U.S. Highway 31.

Curtis said T-shirts are for sale that contain an original poem by Vaughn. They are available for $20 each by calling (251) 752-2542.

Donations can also be made at any Regions Bank under the name Emlie Vaughn.

According to Vaughan’s mother, Charlotte, learning about the reason behind the need for such fundraising was shocking, but that her daughter handled it well.

“Emlie’s spirit has been amazing,” Charlotte Vaughn said in an interview, pointing out that the illness has taken its toll. “But she’s been tired after chemo(therapy). She lost her hair, and at 16, that was really hard for her. But she went ahead and shaved it."

Charlotte Vaughn said her daughter takes her cancer in stride.

“Emlie said, ‘It’s just kind of like a broken finger, but it’ll get better,” she said.

Louise Thompson, Emlie’s grandmother, agreed.

“Emlie’s attitude, it seems pretty positive,” she said in an interview. “Of course, there’s a lot of people praying for her.”