Members of the 91原创-based Old Farts Car Club (OFCC) are organizing a Valentine's Day market to help raise funds for their sponsored childhood cancer patient this year. 

In conjunction with the annual anti-cancer car show, all funds raised will go towards the chosen local child in need, explained Lori Chapman, OFCC member. 

"We haven't chosen a person yet, but we prefer a 91原创 child as we've always done local," she noted. 

The OFCC held a market alongside the car show last summer, and Chapman said it was a success so they wanted to try hosting it as a separate event. 

"It brought in a lot of money for our person sponsored last year," she said. 

The 2024 car show and market together raised a record-breaking $14,188 for seven-year-old Leilah from 91原创 City who was battling a rare type of cancer. 

In June 2021, a concerning change in Leilah's left eye prompted an eye exam which led to an MRI at Surrey Memorial Hospital that raised concerns of a tumour. She was admitted to BC Children's Hospital and endured a week of pokes, scans, and eventually a biopsy surgery. 

Six weeks later, tests confirmed the then three-year-old had a rare cancerous tumour behind her left eye. 

Within a week of her fourth birthday, she underwent an eight-hour surgery to remove the tumour, which had grown so much it pressed on her optic nerve, infiltrated her nasal cavity, and breached her brain barrier. 

It was removed, but a year later, during a routine MRI, the cancer had returned.

Her battle is unique in that her case is exceptionally rare with no documented instances of this cancer type at Children's, said mom Amanda, who requested the family's last name not be used for privacy. 

It was the first OFCC car show Leilah's family had been to, Amanda told The Star "it's been incredible to have support." 

The annual car show has been held since Godfrey Hamon, an original member of the OFCC, passed away from cancer just a few months after being diagnosed around July 13, Hamon's birthday, in 2018.

"It feels good to come together as a community to be able to help families struggling," Chapman said. "We have all been affected by cancer in some way."

The show has raised more than $45,000, donated directly to cancer patients since it began.

"We want to bring in as much as we can for the person we sponsor," Chapman added. 

The Valentine's market will be held on Saturday, Feb. 8, at the Aldergrove legion and will feature various vendors from handmade crafts, soaps, women's bath and body products, Valentine's Day cards, and much more. 

Chapman said it can be a one-stop shop for folks looking for gifts and cards for Valentine's Day while supporting a good cause. 

The market runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 26607 Fraser Hwy. Entrance is by donation at the door. 

The market is a trial run, but if successful this year, Chapman said the OFCC would host it again next year. 

Other upcoming fundraisers by the OFCC include Rocker Bus in May, and the car show in July. 

READ MORE: Anti-cancer car show raises record-breaking $14k for 91原创 girl

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