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Update: Langley cupcakes against cancer fundraiser a sellout

Supporters rally behind Christine Tulloch, a crusader against cancer, who has suffered a relapse

It took less than 20 minutes to sell all 600 cancer-fighting cupcakes on sale at Langley Meadows Community School Wednesday afternoon.

It was a fundraiser by parents to help the family of Christine Tulloch, the daughter of one of their teachers, who has suffered a relapse of her cancer.

Suggested donation was $2 per cupcake, but several buyers paid more than the minimum, said organizer Leah Bertrand.

“I’m thrilled, but I’m not shocked,” Bertrand said.

“This community, Langley Meadows, when something happens, we step up. And that’s what we’re doing here today. We’re stepping up and showing up and letting the Tulloch family know we love them.”

The day before, about 500 cupcakes had been donated, some home-made and some donated by businesses, but a last-minute surge of contributions boosted the numbers, Bertrand explained.

Buyers began lining up next to the PAC portable at the school at 2244 Willoughby Way before 2:40 p.m. when the school day officially ended and the selling began.

“All the money is going directly to Christine and her family,” Bertrand said.

Tulloch’s mother Kim Tulloch is a teacher at the school, and her grandmother also taught in Langley, Bertrand noted.

“We’re doing it as a school and a community,” Bertrand said.

“We just want them to feel supported, to know that ‘we’re here for you.’”

In a May 11 post on Facebook, Tulloch described getting the news from her oncologist that her cancer had returned for a third time and little could be done to fight it.

“… there are no options left for me to try,” Tulloch wrote.

“I have reached toxicity levels with chemotherapy so I can’t go back to that route. I am ineligible for ALL known research trials …”

Tulloch said she was told the doctors can administer an oral drug to manage the growth rate of the cancer, but it is only a “temporary hold.”

“My focus should now be on quality of life, symptom and pain management regimes,” she said.

Another family friend has organized a campaign at https://www.gofundme.com/christine-tulloch that aims to to raise $50,000 to help.

As of Tuesday, almost $12,000 had been raised.

Since her first diagnosis and round of treatments, Tulloch has become a crusader for people battling cancer.

She created a website, http://shedefinesstrength.com/ and worked for BC Children’s Hospital and Balding for Dollars until her health required her to step down.

READ MORE: Balding for Dollars fundraiser

Seven years ago, Tulloch organized the annual Glamour Night for Cancer Warrior Princesses that brings young women with cancer together to get their make-up done, their hair or wig styled and have a mini-photo shoot with a photographer.

She was awarded the Terry Fox gold medal for her efforts.

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Email: dan.ferguson@langleyadvancetimes.com

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Christine Tulloch. File photo
16945260_web1_copy_190522-LAD-cupcake-sale-Janke
Leila Janke, 6, samples a cupcake at a pop-up sale held by parents at Langley Meadows Community School to help the family of Christine Tulloch, a crusader against cancer, who has suffered a third relapse. Dan Ferguson Langley Advance Times


Dan Ferguson

About the Author: Dan Ferguson

Best recognized for my resemblance to St. Nick, I’m the guy you’ll often see out at community events and happenings around town.
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