McFARLAND, Wis. -- McFarland teacher Bonnie Frisch has dedicated her life to teaching children. Now the community is giving back, hoping they can help Frisch battle cancer.

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For the past 13 years, she had battled for her life, with breast cancer, and more recently with ovarian cancer.

"I had breast cancer and ovarian surgery the same day," she said.

When both cancers came back the third time, Frisch decided to do something different. She decided to forgo Western chemotherapy and radiation treatments for holistic medicine this time.

"I'm feeling very good," she said. "I have my mind open to absolutely anything and everything."

"There's a lot of opportunity for her to now recharge and try to find some other ways to help her beat this cancer," said friend and colleague Nancy Walsh-Boeder.

Holistic medicine isn't covered by most insurance companies. To help Frisch cover the cost of holistic treatment, friends organized a Benefit For Bonnie.

The result was overwhelming, WISC-TV reported.

"This has been packed since we opened at 2 o'clock," said Walsh-Boeder.

The benefit, held at Con Safos restaurant in McFarland, drew a crowd of 700 people on Sunday to listen to live bands, shop local vendors and eat.

One popular raffle item -- a basketball signed by University of Wisconsin Badgers coach Bo Ryan -- was won for $200 and re-donated three times.

"I'm very, very, very grateful for the generosity, the support and the love," said Frisch.

Event organizers said $30,000 was raised for Frisch's treatments.

Anyone wanting to make a donation can make checks payable to:

Benefit For Bonnie
McFarland State Bank
5990 Highway 51
McFarland, WI 53558