Steve McFarlane has been affected by cancer for the last 16 years and has decided to do something about it.
McFarlane, who is the new and used sales specialist at Airdrie Chrysler, is donating 10 per cent of his earnings from the month of September to the cancer research foundation set up for his first wife Pat McFarlane.
The Pat McFarlane Cancer Research Foundation was set up by McFarlane’s five children five years ago, and year after year the total funds raised has grown.
“Ten years ago, my wife passed away from cancer, before that my dad had passed away from cancer, and presently my mom is a breast cancer survivor,” said McFarlane. “Last year the foundation raised around $19,000 for cancer research.”
McFarlane and his family’s close connection to the disease gave them the idea to start the foundation.
“My kids are the ones in charge of it,” said McFarlane. “They are all still feeling the effects of their mom being gone.”
“It’s good for the kids, it keeps that memory of their mom, they will never forget their mom. The reason the kids wanted to do it is because they don’t want another family to go through what we went through.”
The foundation holds two major fundraisers each year. This year was the third year of a golf tournament held in Turner Valley, and the fifth annual Pat McFarlane Cancer Research Foundation Gala is scheduled for Oct. 23 at the Varsity Community Centre.
“Whenever I go to anything for cancer, it’s amazing the amount of people who have been affected by cancer,” said McFarlane. “The kids are getting more and more donations every year. I think we are going to hit $20,000 or even more this year.”
Once Airdrie Chrysler got word of McFarlane’s initiative they committed to matching the funds raised. McFarlane says he set a goal for earnings for the month.
“I have gone way past it, and with them matching my donation, I can’t ask for more,” McFarlane said.
