Aldergrove鈥檚 Mangat family is holding their ninth annual poker night fundraiser at the Royal Canadian Legion鈥檚 Aldergrove branch on Saturday, Feb. 17.

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

鈥漁ur family witnessed first hand how this disease can take over a families鈥� life, and completely devastate it,鈥� Mangat told the 91原创 Advance Times.

鈥淥ver the years we have grown and the community has helped us and our fundraisers get bigger and bigger.鈥�

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.

鈥淭his is in memory of mom,鈥� Mangat said. 鈥淭his will be 10 years since my mom passed, and knowing that everyone in the room remembers her for even a minute makes me so happy knowing her memory is still alive.鈥�

The poker night has a limit of 108 players, and there is a wait list. There is a $75 buy-in, and a $20 top-up, with a top-eight payout.

Last year the February tournament raised $9,000 for the fight against cancer, and the Mangat family is hoping to raise a similar amount or more.

Mangat will cook a full Indian buffet, and a variety of snacks, desserts, and other food donated by Subway.

In addition to the poker tournament, there will be a 50/50 raffle and cash bar.

Doors open at 11 a.m. and the tournament starts on the dot at 1 p.m.

鈥淲e need to take a moment to remember those we have lost, and be thankful for those we still have with us. Seeing so much love in one room is heartwarming, and no words can describe what that means to me,鈥� Mangat said.

The Aldergrove legion is located at 26607 Fraser Hwy.

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