Twenty Vancouver Island police officers and one radio personality were named to the 2015 Canadian Cancer Society Cops for Cancer Tour de Rock team.
This 21-member team will cycle the length of Vancouver Island in September and October, raising money for pediatric cancer research and support programs.
This year’s team includes some high-ranking law enforcement officials, including the Island District RCMP’s Chief Superintendent and the Commanding Officer of Esquimalt’s Military Police.
“It’s such an honour to get to put on this Tour de Rock jersey for the first time.
“It’s so much more than just a cycling jersey; what it stands for on Vancouver Island, for community, for a unifying cause like pediatric cancer is overwhelming,” said Ray Bernoties, Commander of the RCMP’s Island District, Chief Superintendent.
The collective hard work of all Vancouver Island communities and schools in their unwavering support for Tour de Rock allows children on Vancouver Island to attend Camp Goodtimes a special summer camp for kids with a history of cancer and also funds pediatric cancer research that changes their lives.
Since Cops for Cancer began in 1998, the Tour de Rock has raised more than $20 million.
This money has made a big difference in the lives of children living with cancer. Childhood cancer survival rates are on the rise, and treatments are less invasive and have fewer side effects.
The Tour de Rock team will spend the next five months training on the bike and fund-raising, before setting out on Sept. 19 for the 1,100-km tour of our rock (Vancouver Island) beginning in Port Alice and ending in Victoria on Oct. 2.