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Dealing with cancer: Aldergrove family holds poker night fundraiser Feb. 18 at legion

Since 2015, the family of Surjit Dhillon has been raising funds in her memory
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Aldergrove’s Mangat family has been holding fundraisers since 2015, in memory and honour of Jodi Mangat’s mother Surjit Dhillon (left), who passed away of pancreatic cancer at age 72 in 2014. On Saturday, Feb. 18, they will host a poker night at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch Aldergrove (right image from 2022 event). ( file photos courtesy Mangat family)

Aldergrove’s Mangat family will be calling cancer’s bluff in mid-February, when their poker night fundraiser returned to the Royal Canadian Legion’s Aldergrove branch.

Since 2015, the family has held fundraisers to honour the memory of Jodi Mangat’s mother, Surjit Dhillon, who passed away of pancreatic cancer at age 72 – in 2014.

”Our family witnessed first hand how this disease can take over a families’ life, and completely devastate it,” Mangat told the Langley Advance Times.

“Over the years we have grown and the community has helped us and our fundraisers get bigger and bigger.”

They started with one poker night a year, which grew to two poker nights a year, and now, in addition to the poker nights, they host a softball tournament in August, all focusing on helping families affected by childhood cancers.

Their poker night has a limit of 100 players “and we have a wait list of even more who want to play,” Mangat said.

This year, they hope to raise $5,000 from the poker nights.

A second poker night will be hosted during the summer and the family’s third annual softball tournament is set for Aug. 27 and 28.

READ ALSO: Fighting cancer by playing poker – Aldergrove daughter goes ‘all in’ for late mother

Mangat Family Poker Night Fundraiser for the fight against cancer and to help local families will take place Saturday Feb. 18 at the legion hall, 26607 Fraser Hwy., with a $75 buy-in, $20 unlimited re-buys for the first two hours, and a $20 top-up at the second break.

It will have a top-eight payout and a 50/50 draw and raffle.

The game starts at 12:30 p.m. Doors open at 11 a.m, and food will be served after the second break. There will be a cash bar.

For more information or to sign up for the poker tournament or softball tournament, Mangat can be reached at 604-825-1594.

VIDEO: Family hit a homer in cancer fight with Aldergrove ball tournament


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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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