MONTEREY — Cancer treatment is expensive.

So is brain surgery.

Put the two together, and even the well insured could be staring down the barrel of a medical bankruptcy.

But even though the Taunton family of Monterey has had to deal with stays in multiple hospitals and even travel overseas to pursue the only-option-left treatment for their daughter, Aiden’s, rare cancer — an inoperable brain tumor known as DIPG — they’ve never been in need, no matter the cost.

Each treatment Aiden receives — an infusion of medicine directly into the tumor — costs $4,000 out-of-pocket. Because it’s considered highly experimental, insurance isn’t going to cover it.

Add in the cost of travel to England, hotel rooms, food and other financial strains that wouldn’t normally be a part of the family’s monthly budget, and the bills could start to stack up.

That hasn’t been the case.

“From the start, we’ve never had to ask for anything, because the community has done fundraisers for us,” Aiden’s mother Megan Taunton said. “It has been a humongous blessing for our family.”

Some of the fundraisers have dovetailed with already-existing community events — for example, a booth that someone set up at Relay for Life — while others were just arranged by friends who knew there was a need.

“Then there were just good-hearted people we don’t even know who gave us money and said, ‘We heard y’all have a sweet little girl who has a need,’” Aiden’s father Collin Taunton said.

Aiden’s story has inspired a lot of people to help.

A central Louisiana group that chooses children with life threatening illnesses and sponsors them as “heroes” — STEPScenla — chose Aiden as one of their heroes and sold T-shirts, bracelets and tattoos in her name and hosted a 5K run to raise funds.

In another instance, local musician Jamie Welch organized a show with Aiden as one of its two intended recipients.

Members of First Baptist Church in Natchez partnered with Waterfront Construction to build a playhouse they auctioned off for Aiden’s cause. That effort actually resulted in more of a gift to the Taunton family than just money — the girl who won the playhouse gifted it to Aiden.

And then there was the church in Peru, a congregation that a member of the Taunton’s church has ties to through past mission work — they also raised money for the family.

“As our story has gotten out, it started in Monterey but has gone across the United States and even out to the world,” Collin said.

The efforts to help the family aren’t over.

The Casting for Aiden bass tournament, which will also include a raffle, will be 2 p.m. June 11 at Joe’s Horseshoe Marina. Those interested in participating can call 318-421-0312 or 318-421-1111 for more information.

“Our community has been great,” Megan said. “We have been able to pay for everything for Aiden’s treatment — it is amazing.”