Two twin brothers from 91原创 hope to generate $300,000 Saturday, when they host their annual cancer-related music fundraiser in Cloverdale.
Jamie and Chris Ruscheinsksi hope to be surrounded by 4,000 to 6,000 of their closest friends for the fourth consecutive Gone Country: Here for the Cure is happening July 23 at the Bill Reid Millennium Amphitheatre.
Asked why people should attend, Jamie pondered the question for only a moment, then replied: 鈥淔or a festival, our atmosphere can鈥檛 really be topped. Everyone is in a great mood because we鈥檙e all there for the right reasons [fighting cancer]. Its very safe, as we make it very understood that the cowboy attitude gets checked at the door. I always encourage people to come and enjoy a beverage with us, since every penny of proceeds goes towards fighting cancer.鈥�
The 35-year-old Ruscheinski twins began their campaign to fight cancer after their mother passed away and the loss of their close friend Shaun Gauthier to cancer five years ago.
To date the twins have raised more than $1.5 million for cancer-related causes.
They have purchased research and early-detection equipment for the BC Cancer Foundation, renovated part of the Easter Seal House in Vancouver, donated to the Canadian Cancer Society, BC Children鈥檚 Hospital, and Canuck Place Children鈥檚 Hospice in Vancouver.
鈥淲e鈥檝e even set up a scholarship fund at UBC in honour of our friend, Shaun Gauthier, that will help a student studying oncology,鈥� Jamie noted.
Last year鈥檚 fundraiser generated a 鈥渃ool鈥� $275,000 for cancer-related initiatives.
鈥淢y dumb brother always likes to keep raising the bar every year, so he set the goal at $300,000,鈥� Jamie said, quickly confirming that he, too, is convinced they鈥檒l meet it.
Money from this year鈥檚 event will go to Canuck鈥檚 Place Children鈥檚 Hospice in Abbotsford.
鈥淚 went on a tour there a few months back, and it鈥檚 an amazing place that helps families navigate an incredibly hard time,鈥� he explained.
He encouraged people to attend the show, even if they are not music fans.
鈥淩egardless if you like country music, come out to the event,鈥� Jamie said, extending an invite to friends new and old. 鈥淵ou won鈥檛 find a better vibe at a festival than this. Everyone is happy and supportive, giving out hugs and high fives to our volunteers. We have a large custom chalkboard in the middle of the event where people can write a message to cancer. Last year, some young woman wrote, 鈥渓eave my Mom alone!鈥� with tears rolling down her face. People noticed this and quickly jumped up to give her hug, them it turned into a giant 30-person hug within seconds. It鈥檚 something I鈥檒l never forget. It鈥檚 not always about how much money we raise. It鈥檚 about helping people through an emotionally tough time.鈥�
Hoping for good weather
Jamie said he鈥檚 been living on his phone鈥檚 weather app, just hoping and wishing for sunshine.
鈥淲e know we鈥檒l get a large turnout, if it鈥檚 beautiful out,鈥� he said. 鈥淢ore people equals more money raised, and that鈥檚 always important. Really though, we get a ton of private messages throughout the year from people battling cancer, and its heartbreaking.鈥�
They鈥檝e set up a special ticket that helps raise money directly for the families in the community fighting cancer.
鈥淲e set them up with as many tickets as they can sell, they bring us back the money, and we cut the family a cheque that will help them through their fight,鈥� Jamie explained. 鈥淭his year, over $15,000 will be going back out to our local community to families battling cancer. We remember how fast the bills add up when our mom couldn鈥檛 work anymore. You shouldn鈥檛 have to deal with financial stress when you鈥檙e going through such a hard time.鈥�
Always looking to change and improve their Gone Country show, this year the twins have added a second stage, redesigned the VIP section, and brought in different, large inflatables for the games area.
鈥淲e always have a few tricks up our sleeve for the evening, as well,鈥� Jamie said.
As for the musical component of this show, 91原创鈥檚 own Karen Lee Batten, and sibling act Robyn & Ryleigh are going to be on stage Saturday.
As well, former 91原创ite Aaron Pritchett 鈥� who recently opened for Garth Brooks and has earned several Juno and Canadian Country Music Awards over the past dozen years 鈥� is one of the headliners.
Another big name performer includes High Valley, a country music duo out of Alberta, made up of brothers Brad and Curtis Rempel.
Doors open at 2 p.m.
Show and ticket information is posted at Twinscancerfundraising.com.
鈥淭his year, we are hoping to have around 4,000 join us. The more the merrier though, as the city has approved us for 6,000 people. Our bartenders can handle it. We have a dream team of volunteers that work their butts off all night,鈥� Jamie added.
