ALBION, Neb. -- A benefit from 3 p.m. to 1 a.m. Saturday evening helped not just one man pay his medical bills, but a family find emotional support.

Caleb Roberts, a firefighter and father of three, is facing a rare and serious medical condition. His family said it's all happened so fast, even the community's support. 

"Last week I didn't think he was gonna be here," Kendra Roberts, who works at John Deere in Saint Edward, said.  

Kendra's' husband initially went to the hospital on March 16th for a concerning heart rate that eventually reached 245 beats per minute. After a rushed surgery, he was able to go home four days later. 

"We thought everything was good, he went home, and within a few hours he was throwing up blood and they found more leaks in his stomach," Angie Creek, his mother, said. 

Roberts' stomach was full of blood, for a second time.

"That was quite devastating because we're told his mortality rate was 80 to 85%. To know we were that close to losing him is really hard," said Creek. 

His stomach was clipped at 14 spots to prevent more lesions -- all while his coworkers and wife's friends began to organize a benefit for the bills and unpaid time off work.

"Like a motherly instinct kicked in and I wanted to make sure they're taken care of," Cori Zoubek, Caleb's sister-in-law, said. 

"It was kind of different to be on the other end of the being helped," Caleb Roberts, who is a firefighter at Saint Edward, and employee at Sentinel of Albion, said. 

The benefit Saturday offered a nacho bar, an auction, and a bake sale with no set monetary goal. 

"I know if they get above and beyond they will donate it back, they're very generous people," said Creek. 

"He's the best big brother, I'm getting emotional but -- he's the best big brother," said Carlee Pohlman, Caleb Roberts' sister. 

"He's a goofball, he's a gentleman, and he would give the shirt off his back for anyone," Zoubek said. "And Kendra volunteers with benefits like this all the time."

Family said the Roberts deserve the best for their three children: Marley (8), Oliver (6), and Arlowe (1).

"I would say Marlee is a free spirit, and Oliver is just a charmer, and Arlo is getting her independence," Creek said.

Roberts is taking a medicine to prevent more lesions, but his loved ones are still worried. 

"We don't even know what to look for," said Kendra. "There's no pain," said Roberts. 

"You gotta pray for the best and prepare for the worst," said Zoubek. 

"[We're taking it] slow and steady, at the end of the day they don't even know what I have," Roberts said.