West Valley School will be the site of the “Ultimate Kids ’80s Glow Stick Dance Party” Saturday as a benefit of 2-year-old Thelma Mae Briney, who is undergoing treatment for an aggressive and rare form of cancer.

The benefit also will be a celebration as Thelma reached a big milestone with her last chemotherapy treatment on Feb. 16.

Thelma, of Kalispell, was diagnosed in July 2015 with Stage 4 clear cell sarcoma of the kidney when a tumor was found in one of her kidneys and nodules on her lungs. She was airlifted to Seattle Children’s Hospital where she has since received treatment, staying with her family: mother, Mandy; father, Brad; and brother, Elliott, 5.

Back at home, Flathead Valley schools have rallied around the little girl through a “Thelma Strong” campaign started by Thelma’s aunt Lisa Weitzel to raise money to cover medical and living costs incurred by the Brineys.

After eight months of treatment and a recent body scan, Thelma and her family are set to return home in March. However, Thelma will still have to return to Seattle once a month for follow-up scans and tests for the next six months according to Lisa.

“Her bone and her brain near the tumor site area came back clear,” Weitzel said. “In her lung scans they detected multiple new, small nodules, but the oncologists there are confident it’s due to a respiratory viral infection a few weeks ago.”

The path from diagnosis to the return journey home has been an arduous one of anxiety-filled moments, watching and waiting, sighs of relief, and celebration for each small victory.

“She has managed to surprise us all with her courage and strength,” Weitzel said.

Weitzel, who manages Thelma’s GoFundMe page online, reports the firsts of childhood Thelma has gone through in the midst of cancer — first haircut and first trip to the movie theater — as “bittersweet” and “heartwarming” moments, to her “celebrated lasts” of chemotherapy and certain tests.

The disco party at West Valley starts at 5 p.m. and will feature a “free will” spaghetti dinner, 50/50 raffle and silent and live auctions. Two live auction items bound to receive a lot of interest are a Denver Broncos football autographed by the entire team prior to their recent Super Bowl win and a skateboard signed by the rock band Pearl Jam.

Weitzel said she had been in touch with Broncos quarterback Brock Osweiler and his wife, Erin, since the October 2015 crosstown football game between Flathead and Glacier high schools. The two football teams joined to raise money and awareness for Thelma.

As for the skateboard, “Mandy and I grew up in Big Sandy. The [Pearl Jam] bass player is from Big Sandy and frequents Montana so we reached out to him,” Weitzel said.

Another big-ticket item is a stonework and installation package valued at $8,000 donated by Glacier Stone, Anderson’s Masonry and Cold Peak Masonry.

While adults browse the auction, children can check in at the junior high gym where they can boogie down on the dance floor or play in the bounce house. Children will have complete access to glow-in-the-dark accessories. A professional face painter will be available to create dazzling designs with glow-in-the-dark face paint. The night will wind down with popcorn and a movie.

Featured entertainment includes a performance by West Valley teacher Krista Van Helden, chosen by Thelma from video submissions to perform “Fight Song” by Rachel Platten.

For more information call Lisa at 471-3632 or visit www.gofundme.com/PrayforThelmaMae.

Hilary Matheson is a reporter for The Daily Inter Lake. She may be reached at 758-4431 or hmatheson@dailyinterlake.com.