WATCH: As this year’s Cops for Cancer Tour de Rock comes to a close, the initiative has brought communities together. Ceilidh Millar reports.
It’s coming down to the last few kilometres and the final push for 21 courageous cyclists on their 14-day journey with Cops for Cancer Tour de Rock.
“It’s humbling to see communities come together and support such an amazing cause,” said rider Dane Nicholson with the Saanich Police Department. “It shows what’s possible with a little bit of hard work and some team work.”
The Tour de Rock is a fundraising event for pediatric cancer research and raises money to support programs for children with a history of cancer.
In Saanichton, the participants met up with two junior riders who have become ambassadors for the program.
“I had Leukemia when I was 4-years-old,” said Desiree Young, who is now a grade 12 student in Victoria. “My treatment was just over two years long and I’ve been in remission every since.”
“Alex is a Leukemia survivor,” explained Kim Beare. “He was diagnosed in April 2016 with Acute Myeloid Leukemia.”
Their message and effort to help sick kids has spread across every corner of Vancouver Island during their more than 1,000 km tour.
At Oak Bay High School, students helped to raise more than $90,000 to send 60 kids to Camp Goodtimes.
More than $11,000 was raised by students and staff shaving their heads at Bayside Middle School.
“We are inspired by the many brave children that have faced cancer,” said the students in a speech they read in front of the school. “Children deserve to be healthy and free of worry, but instead some have been asked to fight an unimaginable battle.”
The riders are hoping to reach their fundraising goal of $1.25-million.
Since its inception in 1998, more than $23-million has been raised through the tour.
Tour de Rock wraps up in Victoria on Friday.
For a full schedule, visit the Tour de Rock website.
Ceilidh Millar
