Markus Schouten was a typical Chilliwack teen. Youthful, full of life and never able to sit still. 

B次元官网网址淗e was a worker, he never just sat around,B次元官网网址� said his mother Jennifer. B次元官网网址淗e was always doing something.B次元官网网址� 

But MarkusB次元官网网址� typical life turned atypical in the blink of an eye. In February of 2021, he was diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma B次元官网网址� a form of pediatric cancer that affects about one in every 333,000 individuals. 

From there, Markus and his parents, Jennifer and Mike, endured a long road of treatment in hopes of fighting the disease. Markus tragically passed away on May 29, 2022 at Canuck Place ChildrenB次元官网网址檚 Hospice in Vancouver. 

In his final days of hospice care, Markus was surrounded by loved ones, including his closest group of friends who were able to pay him one final visit. During the visit, Markus passed along his final dying wish to his buddies Cason Vandenberg, Marcus Dehaan, Eric Timmerman, Levi Vandeburgt, James Thalen and Lincoln Louwerse. He wanted them each to go get a new set of rollerblades to play hockey with so they could, in his words, B次元官网网址渉ave something to do this summer other than watch your screens.B次元官网网址� 

The six boys not only made good on their promise to Markus and got themselves some rollerblades, they took it a step further. 

On Saturday, July 27 B次元官网网址� what would be MarkusB次元官网网址� 21st birthday B次元官网网址� the third annual Markus Schouten Memorial Roller Hockey Fundraiser is being held in Chilliwack, with proceeds going towards Canuck Place. 

The first running of the event went in July of 2022, just months after MarkusB次元官网网址� passing.

The inaugural event was considered a highly successful one, eclipsing their goal of raising $10,000 by bringing in well over $20,000. Last year's fundraiser did even better, bringing in another $40,000 bringing the total amount raised to closer to $60,000. 

The success of the event was something both MarkusB次元官网网址� parents have cherished dearly. 

B次元官网网址淭he real focus is that these kids are the ones organizing it,B次元官网网址� said Jennifer. B次元官网网址淲ell, I mean theyB次元官网网址檙e all 21 now but theyB次元官网网址檙e the ones that have organized this big fundraiser. 

B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 not a lot of parental involvement, and I think thatB次元官网网址檚 really cool.B次元官网网址�

Both Mike and Jennifer became emotional when asked about what that meant to them. 

But their level of appreciation extends beyond just his caring group of friends. With MarkusB次元官网网址� spending the final days of his life in Canuck Place, itB次元官网网址檚 a location held very dear to his parentsB次元官网网址� hearts. 

B次元官网网址淚t was huge for us,B次元官网网址� said Mike. B次元官网网址淥ur involvement with Canuck Place started earlier in MarkusB次元官网网址� journey and already we were very thankful even though at the time we were hopeful Markus would beat the cancer. TheyB次元官网网址檙e an organization that cares so much for the children.

B次元官网网址淭heyB次元官网网址檙e very sensitive, compassionate and caring and when it came time for Markus to go into the hospice care home, they ensured that he passed away as well as you can when you have a disease like cancer.B次元官网网址�

Approaching this yearB次元官网网址檚 event, the goal was to raise $40,000 in hopes of eclipsing $100,000 since its first year. As of Wednesday (July 24) the boys have raised almost $90,000, with many donations as large as $1,000.

Like MarkusB次元官网网址� parents, the group of boys remain grateful for the care their friend received at Canuck Place. 

B次元官网网址淢arkus only spent a few days there but the care they provided was top notch,B次元官网网址� they write on their fundraiser page. B次元官网网址淲e feel called to help them and in this small way remember our good friend who is now with Jesus.B次元官网网址�

The event set to run Saturday (July 27) from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 5840 Blackburn Rd. in Chilliwack. Donations are actively being accepted with anyone wanting to help out able to do so on their donation .