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

含羞草研究社淗e was a worker, he never just sat around,含羞草研究社� said his mother Jennifer. 含羞草研究社淗e was always doing something.含羞草研究社� 

But Markus含羞草研究社� typical life turned atypical in the blink of an eye. In February of 2021, he was diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma 含羞草研究社� 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 Children含羞草研究社檚 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, 含羞草研究社渉ave something to do this summer other than watch your screens.含羞草研究社� 

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 含羞草研究社� what would be Markus含羞草研究社� 21st birthday 含羞草研究社� 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 Markus含羞草研究社� 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 Markus含羞草研究社� parents have cherished dearly. 

含羞草研究社淭he real focus is that these kids are the ones organizing it,含羞草研究社� said Jennifer. 含羞草研究社淲ell, I mean they含羞草研究社檙e all 21 now but they含羞草研究社檙e the ones that have organized this big fundraiser. 

含羞草研究社淭here含羞草研究社檚 not a lot of parental involvement, and I think that含羞草研究社檚 really cool.含羞草研究社�

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 Markus含羞草研究社� spending the final days of his life in Canuck Place, it含羞草研究社檚 a location held very dear to his parents含羞草研究社� hearts. 

含羞草研究社淚t was huge for us,含羞草研究社� said Mike. 含羞草研究社淥ur involvement with Canuck Place started earlier in Markus含羞草研究社� journey and already we were very thankful even though at the time we were hopeful Markus would beat the cancer. They含羞草研究社檙e an organization that cares so much for the children.

含羞草研究社淭hey含羞草研究社檙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.含羞草研究社�

Approaching this year含羞草研究社檚 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 Markus含羞草研究社� parents, the group of boys remain grateful for the care their friend received at Canuck Place. 

含羞草研究社淢arkus only spent a few days there but the care they provided was top notch,含羞草研究社� they write on their fundraiser page. 含羞草研究社淲e feel called to help them and in this small way remember our good friend who is now with Jesus.含羞草研究社�

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 .