Rollerblading to raise awareness about a family member’s cancer treatment

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — That’s how Brendon Bittner literally rolls.

“I lived in New York last year and really got into rollerblading there and started doing more and more distance,” Bittner said.

He moves almost everywhere on his roller skates.

Brendon Bittner

“Last week I finished the Hamburg roller in Ellicottville, so that was kind of my real test to be able to say, ‘Yes, I can do this,’” he said.

But now Bittner has his sights set on an even greater distance. He must travel from Canalside in Buffalo to Toronto over the next two days.

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“The goal of this trip is to try to instill some kind of hope,” he shared.

Hope — for his cousin Marie.

“She was diagnosed with cancer three weeks after giving birth to her first child,” he explained.

Doctors discovered a tumor in Mary’s heart. Fortunately, it was successfully removed, but she still has a long road to recovery.

“She always looked out for me. She’s the most empathetic person I know. She’s the epitome of a good Christian woman. Yes, she always did everything she could to take care of us,” Bittner said.

So he sets off on a 100-mile journey to Canada to raise awareness and funds for Mary’s cancer treatment.

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“I know Buffalo is a city of good neighbors and I hope they will be willing to help us,” he said.

So far, a GoFundMe fundraiser for Mary has raised nearly $40,000, nearly reaching their goal of $70,000.

With every mile he travels, Bittner hopes his journey to Canada makes a difference.

“No cancer diagnosis is easy to accept, but anything the community can do to help would mean a lot to us,” he said.