Just before their daughter, Autumn, turned 2, Roland and Karen Ladd of Thorndike learned she had a rare condition known as mitochondrial complex.

According to the United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation Web site, “mitochondrial diseases result from failures of the mitochondria, specialized compartments present in every cell of the body except red blood cells.

“Mitochondria are responsible for creating more than 90 percent of the energy needed by the body to sustain life and support growth. When they fail, less and less energy is generated within the cell. Cell injury and even cell death follow. If this process is repeated throughout the body, whole systems begin to fail and the life of the person … is severely compromised. The disease primarily affects children but … is becoming more and more common.”

I spoke this week with Karen Ladd, who told me there is no cure for this disease.

And while Autumn’s primary care physician is in Pittsfield, “she works with different specialists who deal with each problem as it arises,” Autumn’s mother said of the disease that has affected her daughter’s immune system and caused problems with her kidneys and bladder.

Autumn has endured much in her short life, from having a catheter to taking nightly antibiotic injections and going to many doctor visits, and the process of fighting this disease will be an ongoing and difficult one for her.

But she continues to go about life as any little girl might as a member of a blended family with three brothers and three sisters, and is a happy second-grader at Mount View Elementary School in Thorndike.

To help the Ladds during this difficult period of their lives, a public spaghetti supper is planned for 5-7:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 8, at the Fairfield VFW Hall.

Admission is $6 for adults, $3 for children 5-12, and free for those under 5.

The benefit also will feature live music and raffle tickets.

Proceeds will help the family with expenses incurred from Autumn’s treatment.

Although the PICA’s first Winter Celebration doesn’t take place until later in the month, a part of that event needs to be completed this week.

Peace through Interamerican Community Action invites members of the community to join the organization in honoring the extraordinary work of former PICA organizer Bjorn Claeson at this inaugural event from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 21, at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 120 Park St. in Bangor.

The snow date is Sunday, Jan. 22, at the same site.

The suggested donation is whatever you can afford or $10 for adults, $5 for children over 5, and free for children under 5.

It’s suggested that you reserve seats and purchase tickets in advance by sending a check to PICA, 170 Park St., Bangor 04401, or by calling the PICA office at 947-4203.

However, a major part of this event is the program book in which you can have your name listed, or purchase an advertisement, to show your appreciation for Claeson’s work. The deadline for that opportunity is Friday, Jan. 6.

For just $10, your name will be added to the list of those thanking Claeson for his creativity, dedication and commitment to PICA.

For a larger donation, you can place an advertisement with your own message.

A full-page ad is $100; a half page, $75; a quarter page, $50; and an eighth page, $25.

For details about how to have your name listed or submit an advertisement, e-mail sean@pica.ws or call the PICA office at the above number.

Mary Marin Lyon, executive director of Literacy Volunteers of Bangor, reports that organization is seeking tutors from the Bangor, Newport, Dexter and Lincoln areas.

These volunteers will be offered Basic Literacy Tutor Training to help adults learn to read or to improve their reading.

If you are interested in becoming a literacy volunteer, call LV-Bangor at 947-8451 by Monday, Jan. 9, to register for the training.

The training is scheduled from 9 a.m. to noon Tuesdays, beginning Jan. 10 and continuing on Jan. 17, 24 and 31, at United Technologies Center on Hogan Road in Bangor.

Course materials are $20, and scholarships are available.

LV-Bangor brings together volunteer tutors with adults wishing to improve their literacy skills.

If you are interested in learning to read better, you can call LV-Bangor at the above number for more information.

Joni Averill, Bangor Daily News, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor 04402; 990-8288.