Cops for Cancer Tour de North celebrates another successful year

Prince George

2022-09-23 13:51 PDT

After seven days spent on the road, 14 law enforcement, community members and emergency services personnel completed the 850-kilometer Tour de North, arriving in Williams Lake, B.C. on September 13.  

A partnership between The Canadian Cancer Society and local first responders, the annual event raised $150,999 that will be directed towards life-saving childhood cancer research and a national support system for families affected by cancer.

I am extremely proud of our entire team. At times it was grueling but we also shared many uplifting moments. Most importantly, we were motivated and inspired by the impact we knew we were making on children and their families, says Peter Wharton local Cops for Cancer rider.

Celebrating its 25th anniversary, Cops for Cancer once again hosted four cycling tours across British Columbia in 2022. Throughout Tour de North, participants made tour stops at events across Northern B.C., engaging with communities and schools while raising funds to save and improve the lives of children diagnosed with cancer, both locally and across the country.

The Canadian Cancer Society is the largest national charitable funder of childhood cancer research in Canada and an advocate for better support for families, says Georgia Hennessy Jackson, Manager of Fundraising Communications for the Canadian Cancer Society. None of the work we do would be possible without the Cops for Cancer program. We are extremely grateful to our first responder partners across the province, and for the contributions of our generous sponsors and donors. 

An estimated 1,050 children (ages 0-14) in Canada were diagnosed with cancer in 2021. Over the last 5 years, CCS has invested $16.4 million in childhood cancer research projects. This investment is contributing to improved outcomes, as the 5-year survival rate for childhood cancer is now 84%, an increase from 71% in the 1980s.

Anyone wanting to learn more about the program or donate can visit www.copsforcancer.ca 

About Cops for Cancer

Cops for Cancer first began in 1994, when Sergeant Gary Goulet of the Edmonton Police Service met Lyle Jorgenson, a then 5-year-old boy who had cancer. Goulet requested the meeting after learning that Lyle was being ridiculed at school because of his hair loss due to chemotherapy. Goulet was so moved by the boy’s story that he rallied his colleagues to shave their heads in solidarity. In 1997, the first Cops for Cancer Tour de Rock launched with a dozen police officers cycling from one end of Vancouver Island to the other. Today, 25 years later, Cops for Cancer has evolved across the country including four cycling tours in BC. Hundreds of law enforcement and emergency services personnel have raised nearly $50 million through Cops for Cancer events.

Help us make a difference. Call 1-888-939-3333 or visit cancer.ca today.

Released by

Cpl. Madonna Saunderson

District Advisory NCO (Media Relations)
North District
4020 5th Avenue, Prince George, BC V2M 7E7
Office: 250-561-3166
Cell: 250-301-3521

Email: madonna.saunderson@rcmp-grc.gc.ca

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