In channelling his grief, a young Springbank man has decided to organize a rodeo to honour the memory of his mom.

Stephen Pearson, 24, was devastated last April when his mother, Catherine Pearson, passed away after a short battle with a rare form of cancer. Adding to his and his family’s grief was the fact that this particular disease is so unusual.

“It was really disheartening because no one knew anything about it,” said Pearson of sarcoma, a disease in which malignant cancer cells form in the soft tissues of the body. “There was no real support group so it bothered us.”

After his mom died, Pearson said he came to realize too that though some cancers like breast and colon attract a great deal of fundraising dollars, the lesser known ones sometimes get left behind. Currently unemployed and admitting to still being “in shock” over the loss of his mother, he, his father and some friends decided to host the Catherine Pearson Charity Rodeo.

According to those who knew Catherine, she loved rodeo and the western lifestyle.

The Sept. 19 event will take place at the Wild, Wild West Centre by Calaway Park. The day-long event is divided into two divisions – one for semi-pro cowboy competitors, and one for rank amateurs. Included in the day’s activities will be bronc riding, bareback riding, bullriding, calf dressing and steer riding.

Pearson admits it’s an ambitious project for someone who’s never organized an event of this kind.

“I’ve been lucky with supporters and sponsors, and everyone’s behind me,” said the Springbank High graduate. “The more I thought about it, the more excited I got. It’s my way of grieving.”

Originally he and his friends approached the Terry Fox Foundation about channelling the profits from the rodeo to a sarcoma research fund.

“But they didn’t like us telling them where the funds should go,” Pearson said, adding he then approached the Alberta Cancer Foundation which was delighted to receive the cash for research into the disease that accounts for about 1 per cent of adult cancers, and 15-20 per cent of childhood cancers.

“I’d like this to be an annual event, assuming it goes good,” said Pearson.

Entry to the event is free with a donation to the Catherine Pearson Sarcoma Research Fund.

Although Pearson is hopeful with the positive response to his event, he remains sad when he thinks of his mother’s life cut short by a disease at the age of 62.

“She was beautiful and hilarious and got along with everyone,” he said. “She loved western and was rough in a sweet way. I miss her.”

For registration information call 403-554-9009 or 403-560-2710

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