More than 200 people gathered at the Knights of Columbus for a spaghetti dinner Saturday, and raised nearly $18,000 in support of Joanie Hencler, who is battling a rare form of blood cancer. While Hencler recently started chemotherapy, she is in good spirits, and is grateful her loved ones are sticking by her side. “It’s unbelievable,” she said at the dinner. “I can’t believe how many people came to this event for me. I’ve been seeing people I haven’t seen in years – people I went to school with, people I played soccer with, my parents’ friends.” Hencler’s sister Julie, as well as her best friend Katie Paliotta, said the amazing turnout is a testimony to how kind Hencler is. “It says a lot about the type of person Joanie is,” Paliotta said, noting that Hencler and her sister have raised at least $20,000 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society during the last three years. Here, Hencler (left) shares a giggle with Julie. (Warwick Beacon photos by Jessica A. Botelho)