COEUR d'ALENE - The Stevens family's love of Greek culture caught her eye, but it was 11-year-old Riley Stevens' fight to overcome aplastic anemia that touched her heart.

Fotini Tsakarestos, one of the owners of Santorini's Greek Cuisine in Coeur d'Alene, told The Press that when she learned of the Hayden boy's plight, it reminded her of her own family's experience eight years ago when a nephew in Greece was battling leukemia.

Fotini recalled trans-Atlantic phone calls, talking every day to her nephew as the medical bills piled up, on top of the emotional turmoil that comes with a serious illness.

"My husband said, 'It would be nice for us to do something for this kid,'" Fotini said.

She and husband Dino, 14-year Coeur d'Alene residents, decided to hold a fundraiser at their restaurant with 100 percent of the proceeds going to help pay Riley's medical bills.

The event will take place Jan. 7 from 4-7 p.m. at Santorini's, 4055 N. Government Way, in the strip mall across from the Kootenai County fairgrounds. They'll be serving gyros and Greek salad for $10 per plate.

Dino and Fotini's decision to help the Stevens family also comes from a deep sense of gratitude for the success of their business.

"Everybody supports us," Fotini said.

The condition Riley, a Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy sixth-grader, was diagnosed with in October differs from leukemia, but the treatment, and the cost of that treatment, is very similar.

Aplastic anemia is a rare condition that occurs when the bone marrow stops making enough red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets for the body. Riley is receiving immunosuppressive drug therapy, a course of powerful medications that could put the disease into remission.

The therapy compromises the patient's immune system, making Riley extremely vulnerable to illnesses and leaving him with few resources to fight any germs that manage to make him ill. If the drug therapy isn't successful, Riley will likely require a bone marrow stem cell transplant.

It was a Press story about a T-shirt sale to raise funds to help Riley's family deal with their growing medical bills that brought the Stevens family's situation to the attention of Dino and Fotini.

In the story published last month "Family goes Greek to fight illness," Riley's mom, Katie Stevens, said they call themselves "Greek geeks" because they enjoy Greek mythology and culture.

The T-shirts, designed by Riley, are emblazoned with an ancient Greek soldier's head, and bear the words, "Riley's Warriors."

Since Riley has been unable to do many of the things an 11-year-old wants to do, play outside or be around other kids, he's getting a special gift this year, a private shopping experience at Figpickel's toy store in downtown Coeur d'Alene. The shop is opening early for Riley one day next week, so the boy can shop alone with his family with a budget provided by his parents.

If you go

What: Greek meal fundraiser for Riley Stevens

When: Jan. 7 from 4-7 p.m.

Where: Santorini's Greek Cuisine, 4055 N. Government Way, Coeur d'Alene

Cost: Gyros and Greek salad for $10 per plate