When life hands you some lemons make lemonade - or in this case a benefit.

In an effort to help cover medical expenses for John Hettler, who needs a liver transplant, Melodie Hettler came up with the idea to host a benefit event complete with cotton candy, funnel cakes, sno-cones, popcorn and deep fried Oreos.The second annual Liver Benefit for John Hettler will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 533 Spruce St. near Walker's Tree Farm.John is suffering from a non-alcohol related liver disease called cryptogenic cirrhosis. His liver has swollen so much that it pushes up on his lungs making it hard for him to breathe at times. It has also resulted in a condition known as hepatic encephalopathy. Toxins from the liver are being pushed up into his brain causing confusion and forgetfulness."I get confused on simple things," he said."It's a journey," Melodie said. "The brain will come back."John can make a full recovery, as long as the damage isn't too extensive by the time he gets the transplant, she added."The brain damage is what concerns me," he said.Recently, the capillaries in his right shoulder have busted due to the liver condition. He is expected to go for testing to get more information for the doctors.Currently he is fourth in line on the Hahnemann transplant list, which covers Drexel, Einstein and Hahnemann hospitals. Since he is listed as 25th on the local list, he isn't sick enough to be placed on the state list.Livers can regenerate when the diseased portion is cut out and a healthy portion from a live donor is attached, but John's liver is too diseased. He only has a nub of his liver that isn't diseased.In addition to the liver condition, John has suffered kidney failure three times, cysts on his pancreas and an enlarged spleen. Last year, the Hettlers incurred more than $350,000 if medical expenses, and the portion of the expenses they must cover is about $37,000.Melodie said there are several individual bills that total that amount, and they want to pay off as many of them as they can. Proceeds from the benefit will go toward paying those bills.There will be 35 vendors at the benefit over the three days, as well as food stands, a flea market, bake sale, crafts and games. Among the vendors are Tastefully Simple, Avon, Tupperware and Perfectly Posh, to name a few."You can pretty much get your Christmas shopping done down here," she said.Sis's BBQ will be on hand with three types of barbecue, pierogi casserole and halupki. And there is also a clothing drive.The Hettlers collect clothing for clothingdrive.com and get paid 15 cents per pound. For each bag of clothing donated to the cause, participants will receive one red ticket that can be used to play games or get cotton candy, popcorn and funnel cakes and other snacks.Additional vendors are welcome. Anyone interested in setting up for one, two or three days should call or text Melodie at 610-349-3169.