Today, 13 first responders and community riders will begin a 7-day, 850 kilometre journey across Northern BC as part of Cops for Cancer Tour de North in support of the Canadian Cancer Society (CCS).
After months of training and fundraising, the riders will connect with local schools, businesses and communities throughout the region while raising vital funds to help improve the lives of families affected by childhood cancer.
“After a year of preparation, nothing else matters!” said Ron Gallo, a three-time Tour de North Community Rider. “The training has prepared us, the fundraising continues, and now it’s time to ride. For months, we’ve trained together, raised funds and shared the Cops for Cancer message. It has all been leading to this moment. We’re excited to get on our bikes and connect with students and communities along the way during our seven-day ride. The support we’ve received along the way, even through the smallest gestures, means more to us than people may realize. It gives us that extra push to keep on keeping on! We’re ready. Let’s ride!”
Now in its 23 year, Cops for Cancer Tour de North continues to unite communities across Northern BC in support of children and families affected by cancer. Funds raised help fuel world-leading research and Camp Goodtimes, giving kids and families a place to connect, build confidence and create lasting memories – all within a medically supervised camp environment.
“Camp Goodtimes is a very special place on earth,” says Nichole Doucette, whose family attended camp after her son Ty’s leukemia diagnosis. “While we don’t want to be part of the cancer club, we’re happy that Camp Goodtime is there, because we are part of that club.”
Nearly 1,000 children in Canada are diagnosed with cancer each year, and cancer remains the leading cause of disease-related death among children under 15. While survival rates have improved significantly, two-thirds of children diagnosed with cancer will experience long-term or late side effects from treatment.
One child diagnosed with cancer is one too many. That’s why CCS and Cops for Cancer refuse to accept the status quo when it comes to childhood cancer. As the largest national charitable funder of childhood cancer research in Canada, CCS has invested more than $11 million in childhood cancer research over the past five years while providing trusted information and support for children and families affected by cancer.
Our longtime Cops for Cancer supporter Applewood Auto Group is the presenting sponsor for all four Cops for Cancer cycling tours taking place throughout the province.
It takes all of us to take on something as big as childhood cancer. To find an event in your community or make a donation, visit copsforcancer.ca.