A fundraising campaign during the Pass Creek Fall Fair is hoping to help a local family that is dealing with a life-threatening illness.
Erwin Dodd was admitted to the hospital two days after his 47th birthday. Within 24 hours, we was diagnosed with leukemia and evacuated by air ambulance to Vancouver General Hospital, where he’s been since.
Dodd is known to many around the area as the owner of Castlegar Muffler. He has a son and daughter in their 20s and three grandchildren. Dodd’s wife Caroline has been with him in Vancouver since he was admitted.
Dodd has a very rare type of cancer — mixed phenotype acute leukemia, which is basically two forms of leukemia combined.
He is undergoing chemotherapy, which will be followed by aggressive radiation and then a bone marrow transplant, which has been scheduled for November.
Expenses are mounting as the couple has had to find an apartment within five minutes of the hospital to stay in between treatments, and all of the related expenses that caring for a sick loved one and maintaining two homes entails.
For several years Dirty Diggers has put on a free event during the fair for children which allows them to experience operating small pieces of machinery alongside an experienced operator. Castlegar Muffler has been a supporter of the event each year and this year organizers will be asking participants to donate to help meet the needs of the Dodd family.
“Erwin had a big part of this Dirty Digger for a Day — he always donated money to us in order to get the candy, and things like that,” explained Chris Popoff, owner of Dirty Diggers. “So this is an opportunity for everyone who enjoys that event to give back to him.”
“He is a very caring guy, and I think everyone in the community knows that about him. I think that is why it is important for everybody to step up and do what they can.”
The other fundraiser feature will be the children’s bounce house, where there will be a suggested donation as admission.
“He’s a good guy that does lots for our community” added Popoff. “He keeps such a positive spin on things. Some of the things that come out of his mouth — it really puts it into perspective that we all should be thankful for what we’ve got.”
If you will not be attending the fair but would still like to donate you have several options. A Go Fund Me page has been set up, there is also an email address set up for Etransfers — rootingforyouerwin@gmail.com or you can call Chris Popoff at 250-365-1632.