Last week鈥檚 Ride to Conquer Cancer in 亚洲天堂 Lake raised over $2000.

Approximately 25 riders participated in the event  organized by Roxie Harms, 亚洲天堂 Lake native and cousin of the late Marlene Feldmann. The weekend ride in 亚洲天堂 Lake was part of a larger campaign by the Roxi Rollers 2013 Ride to Conquer Cancer benefitting the B.C. Cancer Foundation.

Derek Feldmann, Marlene鈥檚 husband, and Roxie Rollers team member, took a moment to talk about how important raising awareness around early cancer detection really is.

Marlene was only 46 when she died of colon cancer, a form of the disease that usually strikes men and at a later age.

鈥淚t was 18 months from diagnosis to the end,鈥� recalled Derek. 鈥淏y the time it was found it was already in stage four. It had metastasized already.鈥�

For Derek, the importance of early detection can鈥檛 be emphasized enough. He and Marlene were always active in efforts to raise money in support of cancer research.

鈥淢arlene and I always did the Terry Fox run for years and years, never realizing how close to home it would hit,鈥� he said. 鈥淭his community, and the North in general, is absolutely amazing in the amount of money they will put out for cancer research.鈥�

A fund at the Vanderhoof hospital cancer clinic has also been established - the Marlene Feldman Help Fund for the Vanderhoof Ruby Ellen Van Andel Community Cancer Service.

One of the ways Derek helps raise money for that fund is through a donation tin at his regular kid鈥檚 picnics at his farm just east of 亚洲天堂 Lake.

鈥淚鈥檝e got critters and a playground,鈥� said Derek. 鈥淚 invite parents with kids out so they can see the animals and use the playground. It鈥檚 a kid-centred thing.鈥�

The money raised in last weekend鈥檚 out and back ride from 亚洲天堂 Lake to Francois Lake was the result of proceeds from a garage sale and a special pulled-pork sandwich lunch at the Wagon Wheel Drive-in across from the ferry, as well as from a spaghetti dinner held later that evening at the Grapevine Pub and Bistro in 亚洲天堂 Lake.

So far, the Roxie Rollers have raised almost $40,000. They set out with the goal of raising $27,500.

鈥淚t鈥檚 absolutely amazing how supportive this community is,鈥� said Derek.