Const. John Belanger
Special to the Mirror
Hi Everyone!
You may have heard that this year I am going to be riding as part of this year’s Canadian Cancer Society Cops For Cancer Tour de Rock team.
The Tour de Rock is an exciting annual two-week bicycle journey in which a team of police officers brave all types of weather as they cycle 1,100 kilometres from the north end of Vancouver Island to the south.
Why? Because the impact of cancer on the life of a child and their family is devastating. Donations made to the Canadian Cancer Society through Cops for Cancer Tour de Rock are used to fund life-saving research and caring support programs to reduce its impact. Since 1998, Tour de Rock has raised over $20 million for the Canadian Cancer Society.
I have been involved with the Canadian Cancer Society Cops for Cancer Tour de Rock for the last nine years, mainly as part of the motorcycle escort team. I have lost a Grandmother and an uncle to this devastating disease. I have been blessed with two beautiful healthy daughters and want to help families who are dealing with everything involved with having a child with cancer.
The funds raised goes toward pediatric cancer research and Camp Good Times. Camp Good Times is a camp that children with cancer can attend with their families when they would not have the opportunity to attend camp due to the special care they require. Camp Good Times has Doctors and Nurses on staff which allows a child who would not normally be able to go to camp, can go to Camp Good Times. It costs approximately $2,500 to send a child to Camp Good Times.
When the Tour de Rock Started in 1998 the survival rate from pediatric cancers was about 45 per cent, now the survival rate is over 80 per cent.
Please help support this very worth while cause.
I have pledged to shave my mustache if I can get 50 people to donate $100 each or 100 people to donate $50 each! I have had my Stash for at least 20 years! Donations of $20 or more are tax receipt-able.
Click here to go my page and then click the donate now link.
Thank you for supporting!
Where do all the Tour de Rock funds go?
We ride so kids can survive and thrive and be supported while on their cancer journey.
Funds raised by Cops for Cancer help the Canadian Cancer Society fund the best pediatric cancer research and life-saving clinical trials in Canada. Money raised is also used to fund support programs run by the Canadian Cancer Society for children facing cancer and their families, such as Camp Goodtimes.
How can the public get involved?
There are many ways to get involved: volunteer at an event, make a donation to your local rider or host your own fundraising event.
Where does the general public go for more information on Cops for Cancer?
Visit copsforcancerbc.ca to make a donation and find out more about Cops for Cancer.
How are donations making a difference?
This year In Canada an estimated 910 children under the age of 15 will be diagnosed with cancer. However, about 83 per cent will survive at least five years past their diagnosis thanks to the impact of research on treatments. Your donations are also helping the Canadian Cancer Society provide families with reliable, comprehensive, easy-to-understand information about cancer, a ride to treatment, a week at Camp Goodtimes or financial aid for travel and accommodation.
What’s the difference between the Canadian Cancer Society and the BC Cancer Agency?
The Canadian Cancer Society is a national, community-based organization that funds critical cancer research, leads impactful cancer prevention initiatives and provides compassionate support programs for people facing cancer.
The Society has more impact against more cancers in more communities than any other cancer charity in Canada. The BC Cancer Agency operates regional cancer centres across the province, providing assessment and diagnostic services, chemotherapy, radiation therapy and supportive care.