Cancer claimed his life, but the legacy of local star athlete Mark Cheng lives on in an annual charity fundraiser.
The Mark Cheng Foundation, a nonprofit organization formed by Chengs five best friends, is hosting its fourth annual basketball fundraiser on Aug. 20 at Odlin Park.
The daytime event is a free basketball tournament made up of semi-competitive and recreational divisions, aiming to support youth athletics in memory of Chengs passion for children.
Later that evening, the group is holding a dinner fundraiser.
Last year, the event brought out around 250 community members, many of whom once played sports alongside Cheng.
Its a good example of the long-term bonds that can be created through athletics, explained Rajiv Khangura, one of the board directors for the Mark Cheng Foundation. The hope is that the fundraiser not only supports local organizations, such as Kid Sport and BC Cancer Agency, but also contributes to the formation of new bonds between community members.
Cheng tragically passed away at 26 after a one-year bout with extragonadal germ cell cancer, a rare form of the disease. His passing sent ripples through East Richmond, where he had attended school at Cambie Secondary School and had collected athletics awards for his basketball and rugby prowess.
Khangura, along with other foundation directors, was closely involved with Cheng throughout the difficult battle with cancer. Cheng knew it was one he would not win. His strength, resilience and care for his friends throughout the process left them with a powerful lesson.
To see him handle the news that he was going to be passing away in the near future and still hold it together emotionally and be supportive of his friends gave me a real sense of strength, said Khangura.
There are not many experiences in life that will be tougher than that, and I should continue to persevere in my life as I encounter challenges with that type of attitude. It also taught me to appreciate and not take for granted the people that are near and dear to my life.
After Cheng died in 2006, his five closest friends collaborated to launch the Mark Cheng Foundation. They considered his two biggest passions sports and children and married the two in their fundraiser.
It was a way that they could continue his legacy of being a positive, strong person who went to great efforts to support others, even as his health waned.
The Crestwood Classic basketball fundraiser event will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Odlin Park. Tickets for the dinner are on sale.
To learn more, visit www.markchengfoundation.org.
