The owner of a local daycare raised $2,000 for the BC Cancer Foundation last month, $500 more than she did last year, despite the fact the event took place during the week Mission was snowed in.
Tamara Bridal, who lost her father Doug Kissock to cancer three years ago, began a cancer rally through her daycare last year to honour his memory.
Her daycare, which is at the old Ferndale Elementary school, was opened to the community all day on Jan. 21, where she set up tables for vendors all donating a portion of their sales to the BC Cancer Foundation.
"Yes this is the week we had the snowstorm, but we still had ones brave the weather and come out and support the cause," said Bridal.
Bridal said everybody knows someone who has been affected by cancer, adding her good friend Dawn Woodman was diagnosed at age 40 with breast cancer.
"She is a survivor, but had to have a double mastectomy. So, I had a huge push to support the cure."
Above: Alex Kubb learns to websling with Spiderman at Tamara Bridal's cancer rally on Jan.21
More recently, 160 people attended the Laurie Stricker benefit concert at Sniper's pool hall last Friday to help raise money for the financial hardship caused by her hospitalization to Leukemia.
Her friend and organizer, Olisa Chornick, described the evening:
"The night started with MC Denis, aka Mr. Excitement, belting into the microphone, 'Thanks for coming everybody, we couldn't have done this without you! You all freakin' rule ...and CANCER SUCKS!' to an overwhelming cheer of support."
There were many bands that played for the concert, including Mad Decent, a Mission-born band now located in Burnaby; Abbotsford's Higher Plains; followed by Mission's own Acqua-Visa; and headlining was Random Dander, a band in which Chornick plays drums.
Chornick says people traveled from Burnaby, Hope, Victoria and as far as Smithers.
"There was a lot of love and a lot of hugs. A true display of peace, love and the true human spirit. This is all Laurie would want for anyone and this community was proud to offer," she said.
The community raised $1,650, which was donated to Laurie's family after the event.