A young Cranbrook professional has joined some prominent company as B.C.’s newest member to the Canadian Cancer Society’s National Relay For Life Dream Team.

Dr. Mark Langer is one of up to 10 individuals from around the province who are hand selected to join this Canada-wide team.

The Dream Team concept originated in Nova Scotia with the aim of bringing community and business leaders together with one common goal: fighting cancer. Each leader on the team commits to raising $10,000 to support Relay For Life. For this first-ever National Dream Team, each of the ten provinces is looking to enlist 10 members to commit to this fundraising goal. That gives this project the ambitious goal of $1 million.

Any money raised by Dr. Langer will aid the Canadian Cancer Society in its mission to eradicate cancer and enhance the lives of those living with the disease.

Originally from a small town in Northern Alberta, Langer left home at 17 to pursue further education. Two universities and eight years of studies later, he graduated as a doctor of optometry from Pacific University in Oregon. Since then he’s had the pleasure of working in Honolulu HI, Vancouver, Landstuhl, Germany and Beverly Hills, CA before finally landing in Cranbrook/Kimberley – an area he’s happy to call home.

“I believe that helping those in need is the most rewarding way to spend your time; in giving back to our communities we’re adding to the foundation of a better future for our families, our businesses, our communities and beyond,” Dr. Langer says. “I strive to help out where I can, and – having lost a brother to cancer – I’m very excited to be a part of the Relay For Life team as we aim to contribute as much as possible to help fund life-saving research.”

With his deep personal connection to brain cancer, Mark will take part in a partnership between the society and Brain Canada – all donations to his campaign will be designated for brain cancer research and will be matched dollar-for-dollar by Brain Canada. Through this partnership, the Society is able to leverage matching funds from Brain Canada through the Canada Brain Research Fund, a public-private partnership established by the Government of Canada.

“Rather than just ask for donations I thought hosting an event, would be a lot more fun and give me the chance to interact, raise awareness and fundraise at the same time. Hosting the Guys & Dolls Speakeasy was a great experience and we’re thrilled to have raised $6320. The support from the community and the generosity of those who attended the event has taken me to over 50% to my fundraising goal,” says Mark. “I’ve already been asked if this will be an annual event, stay tuned!

Lori Stevenson, Team Lead, Community Giving for the Canadian Cancer Society, says Dream Team members share a common desire to raise money for cancer research, prevention and support programs.

“We are thrilled to have Mark as a member of our National Dream Team,” says Stevenson. “Even more exciting is the fact that Mark is a new supporter of the society who has joined the Relay For Life Dream Team to increase awareness of how cancer impacts us all.”

Each year, Relay For Life brings together more than 160,000 people across Canada to celebrate the lives of those who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost and empower individuals and communities to fight back against cancer.

In 2014 in B.C. and Yukon alone, Relay For Life raised more than $3.5 million.

Thank you: Andre’s Electronic Experts, Bohemian Spirits, Bridge Interiors, B104 & The Drive, Culligans, Gipman Millwork, Heather Smith, Jim Cameron, Kin Club of Cranbrook, KJubinville Photography – Kristin Jubinville, Lona Williams and Associates, Maui Jim Sunglasses, Mary Ann and Ron Jenkins of Investors group, Cranbrook Mitsubishi, Sandor Rentals, Save on Foods and Vanessa Dickson with Sun Life Financial and all the volunteers, the Speakeasy could not have happened without you!

Donations to Dr Langer can be made by visiting relayforlife.ca/dreamteam.

The Canadian Cancer Society is a national, community-based organization of volunteers whose mission is to eradicate cancer and enhance the quality of life of people living with cancer. Thanks to our donors and volunteers, the Society has the most impact, against the most cancers, in the most communities in Canada. Building on our progress, we are working with Canadians to change cancer forever. For more information, visit cancer.ca or call our toll-free bilingual Cancer Information Service at 1-888-939-3333 (TTY 1-866-786-3934).

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