'Buzz Your Fuzz' event honors former Whitefish official

Former Whitefish Finance Director Mike Eve, who died of cancer in 2009, was the memorial focus once again at the fifth annual “Buzz Your Fuzz” event to benefit two cancer research centers.

The fundraiser Aug. 29 in Great Falls raised more than $31,000 for the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and Benefis Sletten Cancer Institute.

The fundraiser involved over 20 brave souls raising money before the event and shaving their heads at the event. It also involved several silent and live auction items that raised over $8,000 alone.

The annual event is held in memory of Mike Eve, a former Great Falls and Whitefish resident. Eve received treatment at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle during his fight with renal cell carcinoma.

He lost his battle in 2009 at the age of 49. Eve was named Government Worker of the Year by the Whitefish Chamber of Commerce in 2008.

Doctors at the University of Washington hospital removed Eve’s kidney, but the growth on his liver was entwined with major blood vessels and was inoperable. They told him his cancer was chronic and incurable.

Nevertheless, Eve remained upbeat, buoyed by support from his wife, Valerie, their son, Dylan, and other family members.