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Cops for Cancer keeps tradition rolling in pandemic

For years, peace officers have donated their time and lactic acid annually for Cops for Cancer, a long-distance bicycle tour and fundraiser. But, like everything else in 2020, plans were crimped by COVID-19.
Brent Richter
cops for cancer

For years, peace officers have donated their time and lactic acid annually for Cops for Cancer, a long-distance bicycle tour and fundraiser. But, like everything else in 2020, plans were crimped by COVID-19.

Instead of letting all their training go to waist, five volunteers from the North Vancouver RCMP, West Vancouver Police and BC Sheriff Service, adapted the Tour de Coast to be a 24-hour relay on spin bikes held outside the North Vancouver RCMP and West Vancouver Police Department.

Between noon on Aug. 27 and noon on Aug 28, the volunteers cycled 740 kilometres, the equivalent of pedalling from the North Shore to Creston, B.C.

“COVID-19 has changed everything but the Cops for Cancer tour is a very important fundraising function that the RCMP participates in every year,” said Sgt. Peter DeVries, North Vancouver RCMP spokesman. “It was really important to us to continue to participate in the Cops for Cancer tour because COVID-19 has no effect on the number of kids who are struggling with cancer diagnoses and it's important that we don't just stop altogether.”

Money raised from the tour goes towards childhood cancer research, treatment and prevention as well as towards Camp Goodtimes, a summer retreat for children in treatment. The camp is tailored to the kids' unique challenges and compromised immune systems.

When they were in need of a break, they called in some reinforcements – other first responders and local bigwigs. Among them: Mike Danks, assistant fire chief from the North Vancouver City Fire Department, who took a turn wearing not just full turnout gear but also a hazmat suit, and North Vancouver-Seymour MLA Jane Thornthwaite who hit the spin bike with her dog Ozzy.

“It was really neat to see everybody jumping in and participating. That made it a bit more of a community effort,” DeVries said.

By the time the 24 hours was up, they had netted almost $10,000 in donations. With thousands more in pledges yet to be collected, DeVries said the team was well past their $15,000-goal – significant amount when charities of all kinds are hurting.