Southern Alberta town raises over $20,000 for family with mother suffering with incurable brain cancer

Despite a hard-fought battle against brain cancer, Lorilyn Mendoza, of Cochrane, is running out of time before she leaves her husband, Chris, alongside their three-year-old and seven-year-old sons.

A grand display of the generosity and community took place this weekend with members of the community banding together to raise $22,350 for the Mendoza family.

In an effort to alleviate some of their financial burdens, Cochrane’s Filipino community and local leaders worked with Dan Kroffat to host a special fundraising initiative in the community.

It all led up to Feb. 17, where Giga’s Pinoy Carinderia and Cochrane’s Bubble Tea Brewers, hosted members of the community for a fundraising event to wrap-up the campaign.

Guests could visit Giga’s where they could make a donation in exchange for a meal, or purchase a boba from Bubble Tea Brewers with proceeds headed towards the Mendoza family.

More than 300 meals and 100 bubble teas were purchased between the two businesses.

Upon the reveal of the total amount raised, Chris, despite not being fluent in English, gave a heartfelt thanks to all attendees for supporting his wife and children.

Elizabeth Giga, owner of Giga’s and close friend of Lorilyn said she really appreciates seeing what the community has done for the Mendoza family.

“This, what we are doing as a community will give her lots of strength to fight what she is experiencing right now,” Giga said.

Mike and Moniq Bautista of the Filipino Community Association of Cochrane Alberta, said  they never expected to see this level of success brought forward by Kroffat and all members of the community.

“It’s amazing,” Moniq said. “You see the support of everyone, not only Filipino, but the local support of everyone as well.”

Mike added that he is overwhelmed to see the support. He never anticipated that both businesses would be as packed as they were from Cochrane and surrounding communities.

“I met some people from Calgary, Canmore, and Banff, I’m so overwhelmed,” he said. “We love this community in Cochrane.”