The rigours of an 800-kilometre cycling tour are nothing compared to what kids with cancer go through, according to one Burnaby veteran of the Cops for Cancer Tour de Coast fundraiser – that’s why she’ll be saddling up again this year.
“Riding in the rain, up the massive hills, the chafing and the exhaustion after days of riding is nothing compared to what these kids have endured, and it's the least that I can do to help prevent another parent from having to hear that their child has cancer,” says Burnaby RCMP Sgt. Tess Landry, who is preparing to tackle the tour for the sixth time this year.
Landry, the co-captain of this year’s tour, will be joined by two other Burnaby Mounties during the September event, which raises funds for life-saving pediatric cancer research and support programs like Camp Goodtimes, a camp for children and teens affected by cancer.
Const. Leslie Smith said the ride will be "bittersweet" for her.
She has lost both her grandfather and stepmother to cancer, and cycling was a favourite pastime for Smith and her stepmom and dad.
Const. Thinh Do, meanwhile, said he’ll be thinking of a lost friend as he rides.
“A personal friend of mine whom I served with in the Canadian Armed Forces lost his battle with Stage 4 cancer,” Do said. “My belief is that there is always hope, hope for a cure and that every life is worth fighting for.”
Cops for Cancer has taken a big hit from COVID-19 this year, with the pandemic shutting down in-person fundraising events, like the annual Jail & Bail, and forcing participants to fundraise online.
This year’s goal for the Tour de Coast has been slashed to $400,000 from $800,000 last year – and so far only $71,000 has been raised.
Overall, the Canadian Cancer Society estimates it will lose between $80 million and $100 million in fundraising this year because of COVID-19.
For Burnaby’s Tour de Coast participants, however, the pandemic will be no excuse.
“Cancer does not take a break and neither can we!” is their motto, according to a Burnaby RCMP news release.
To donate to the Burnaby RCMP team, visit tinyurl.com/BBYTourDeCoast and search for the individual riders by name.
Follow Cornelia Naylor on Twitter @CorNaylor
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