After 7 days spent on the road, law enforcement and emergency services personnel completed over 850 kilometers when they reached Prince Rupert on Thursday, September 21st.
A partnership between The Canadian Cancer Society and local first responders, the annual event raised $150,000 that will be directed towards life-saving childhood cancer research and a national support system for children affected by cancer and their families.
Throughout the Tour de North participants made tour stops at events across Northern BC to engage communities and schools en route to raising funds to save and improve the lives of children diagnosed with cancer, both locally and across the country.
“CCS is the largest national charitable funder of childhood cancer research in Canada and an advocate for better support for families,” says Ninon Daubigeon, Senior Manager, Cops for Cancer. “None of the work we do would be possible without the Cops for Cancer program. We are extremely grateful to our first responder partners across the province, and for the contributions of our generous sponsors and donors.”
This year, longtime Cops for Cancer supporter Applewood Auto Group signed on as the presenting sponsor for all four Cops for Cancer cycling tours taking place throughout the province.
An estimated 1,050 children (ages 0-14) in Canada were diagnosed with cancer in 2021. Over the last 5 years, CCS has invested $16.4 million in childhood cancer research projects. This investment is contributing to improved outcomes as the 5-year survival rate for childhood cancer is now 84%, an increase from 71% in the 1980s.
“I have a son who had cancer, who’s fought it,” says John Togyi, a Cops for Cancer volunteer medic. “The cyclists are doing this to help other kids like him.”
Anyone wanting to learn more about the program or make a donation can visitwww.copsforcancer.ca http://www.copsforcancer.ca/