To support a great cause and have a fun time while doing it, visit the Invermere Community Hall Thursday November 3 for a silent auction, dinner and dance to help support Edgewater resident Pierre Collin.

Collin, who owns and operates Bin-Dare Dun Date Excavating, was diagnosed with stage 4 stomach cancer in September 2010. After complications during surgery to remove his stomach, Collin was forced to begin chemotherapy in Kelowna. He has been undergoing chemotherapy since January of 2011, and at that time it was estimated he would only live for six months.

Currently, the cancer has spread to his liver and bones, and Collin must still go to Kelowna for chemotherapy every two weeks. This has prompted friends and family to hold the dinner, to help support the mounting transportation and medical costs associated with his treatment, especially since Collin is no longer able to run his company.

“About a month ago I began to think that winter was going to be especially tough for them financially,” Pierre’s adult daughter Danielle said.

“They were completely against it, because they hate asking for help, but they’ve started coming around. I thought that if we didn’t hold the benefit, the stress would probably take him before the cancer did.”

Collin had symptoms for up to five years before he was diagnosed with cancer, symptoms that doctors originally attributed to heartburn. That’s why Danielle would also like for the benefit to raise awareness of all forms of cancer and cancer prevention.

“He’s strong, and he’s staying forward,” Danielle said. “He’s looking to the future … just living day by day.”

Tickets are only available through pre-sale, as tickets will not be sold at the door. Tickets are available at All Dolled Up, Rona, Radium Prestige, Pips Country Store and Home Hardware, and are $30. The event is 19-plus. For more information contact Danielle at: 250-688-6615 or e-mail daniellecollin@live.ca