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By Derek Craddock

MASQUERADE

Family to host New Year’s Masquerade Ball for woman with terminal cancer

Dec 29, 2022 | 12:00 PM

As the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s and people celebrate the coming of 2023, a former Prince Albert woman will have an item ticked off her bucket list.

Jen Ross was diagnosed with ovarian cancer earlier this year, on top of another cancer-fighting with it. Unfortunately, the ovarian cancer is terminal leaving Ross with as little as a year left.

Despite the diagnosis, she is staying positive and living to the fullest while now calling B.C. home.

Ross has a bucket list, which her mother Candice April said she is working on right now. One of those bucket list items will soon come true on New Year’s Eve.

“She’s always wanted to have a masquerade party,” said April. “People haven’t had that and haven’t been able to dress up and celebrate. It’s a fundraiser that we turned into a masquerade ball.”

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Funds from the event will come through ticket sales and a silent auction with several large gift baskets available. All the proceeds go to Ross and her family to cover the costs of travelling to and from treatment as well as lost wages for her husband who has been unable to work while taking care of her during her battle with cancer.

April said once they got the terminal diagnosis, they did everything they could to organize the masquerade, including renting out the East End Hall and finding the music and entertainment.

She said they have so far sold a lot of tickets and that there will be some available at the door.

While the party will be one of Ross’ last wishes, April said her family and friends do not want to look at it that way, knowing she has always been a positive person, even from her last cancer diagnosis.

“She was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma when she was 21,” said April. “This is her second time with cancer but this time it’s not the outcome I would want. She’s going to fight till the end and that’s why there’s such a turnout. It’s going to be a good party.”

Tickets for the Masquerade are $30, and April said they are still looking for donations from individuals or companies who want to contribute.

More details can be found on the event’s official Facebook page.

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derek.craddock@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @PA_Craddock