The community is rallying to the aid of a young man facing a battle with cancer by hosting a pub night this Thursday.

Marshall Robertson is a 21-year-old Langley man who had everything going right for him until a nagging headache was finally diagnosed as a brain tumor in September.

He immediately underwent a six-hour surgery at Royal Columbian Hospital under the capable hands of the respected Dr. Chan that removed the tumor from his right side. However, the cancer had already travelled down his spinal cord and any attempt to surgically remove it would have left Marshall paralyzed.

Instead he has been undergoing radiation therapy at the Abbotsford Cancer Centre and on completion of this eight-week treatment he will then begin chemotherapy.

He is staying with his father Ken in Langley, and according to his sister Nina of Aldergrove, he remains optimistic. But, of course, he can't work at his security company job in his current weakened state.

He has the support of many friends, including his devoted girlfriend Brittany Rudder, who are banding together to raise money for all the expenses that are not covered by his health plan.

"We just got confirmation that his prescriptions will now be paid for, but he'd already spent $1,200 on the first 100 tablets and then there are the ambulance costs and special diet that have to be paid for," said Nina.

Nina and Brittany have gathered together a number of donations, including a hockey stick signed by all the Canucks players, which they will be selling at a silent auction on November 26, starting at 6 p.m. at the Fox and Fiddle Pub, 19530 Langley Bypass.

"We're selling tickets for $20, which includes a burger and fries and a beverage at the Fox and Fiddle," said Nina. "There is also a Canucks pay-per-view game against the LA Kings on the screens that night which starts about the same time."

Anyone wanting to support Marshall by buying a ticket or making a donation should call either Brittany at 778-241-2748 or Nina at 604-607-3574.

Brittany has also posted the "Marshall's Fundraiser" event on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=170351274163&ref=ts

"If we can learn one thing from this story it's that we have to stay positive and support Marshall," said Nina.