In one of their most successful events yet, Langley twins Jamie and Chris Ruscheinski have raised $520,000 for cancer research through their fifth annual Gone Country concert.
The sold out event, which took place July 22 at the Bill Reid Millennium Amphitheatre, featured performances from some of Canada’s top country acts: Tim Hicks, Jojo Mason, Karen Lee Batten, Me & Mae, Dave Hartney and Danielle Marie.
“We will never be able to type the words to show how grateful we are to our volunteers. The words just don’t exist. This is all because of them. All 200 of them. Thank you,” the twins wrote on their Facebook page.
“There were so many emotions when we announced the total to the team this afternoon during wrap up celebrations. My voice cracked during my toast, looking out at the people that mean the world to us. Everyone sunburnt, exhausted and a little hungover were now smiling, cheering, and crying.
“The raised funds make me proud, but this family makes me the proudest. We love you guys.”
The twins began raising money for cancer research after their mother passed away from breast cancer in 2001. Then, their grandfather died, and in 2010, their 28-year-old friend Shaun Gauthier passed away from angiosarcoma, a rare and agressive form of cancer.
The twins and their group of volunteers are already busy working on next year’s Gone Country event, which will return July 21, 2018. More information will be made available at twinscancerfundraising.com.
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