A benefit to be held this weekend will raise money to help pay the medical bills of 12-year-old Cecillia Gonzalez, who was bitten by a timber rattlesnake in August.

Gonzalez, who was bitten Aug. 16 while playing with friends near a creek in Dawsonville, had a severe allergic reaction to the snake venom and was flown to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta where she stayed for several days in the ICU.

A week after being released, Gonzalez was readmitted after follow-up bloodwork and was held at the hospital for several more days.

In total, Gonzalez has been given 28 vials of antivenom.

The benefit, which will be held from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. Oct. 14 at the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame, will help take the burden of medical bills off Gonzalez’s family. There will be music, games, raffle tickets, cake walks, face painting, balloon animals and food.

Please contact Chrissie Sanders at (678) 360-6226 or Kelly Gillian at (770) 654-0447 for more information about donating and attending the benefit.