For the next six months, 13 people from law enforcement, emergency services and related fields across northern B.C. will be working to meet a pair of epic goals.
They've committed to this year's Cops for Cancer Tour de North. Now in its 22nd year, the annual campaign is held in the name of the Canadian Cancer Society and culminates in September with a seven day, 800-kilometre ride from Prince Rupert to Prince George. By then, they also hope to have raised $200,000 for CCS.
Leighton Johnston, a member of Correctional Service of Canada in Prince George, is among them.
"I like cycling and always wanted to do this.” said Johnston. “Personally, when one of my daughters was younger, she suffered some serious medical issues. Before we got the news that it wasn’t cancer, I thought a lot about the Canadian Cancer Society and what programs would be there to help us if we needed it. I felt helpless then and now I am hoping to do something about it for other families.”
Other team members are Scott Roberts (North District RCMP), Sabrina Maaske (Prince George RCMP), Aaron Dale (Fort St. John RCMP), Roland Dixon (Fort St. John RCMP), Fiona Pirrie (BCEHS, Fort St. John), Fraser Bjornson (Williams Lake RCMP), Kasper Green (Prince Rupert Fire Rescue), Justin Preston (Smithers RCMP), Jacque Van Wyngaardt (Prince Rupert RCMP), Jordan Venditelli (Prince Rupert Fire Rescue), Jamie MacPherson (BCEHS 100 Mile House) and Anna Zintl (Interior Health, 100 Mile House).
The money raised will go to research in pediatric cancer and help send as many as 600 kids to Camp Goodtimes, a medically-supervised recreation experience for children and teens affected by cancer.
“With cancer still the leading cause of disease-related death in children under the age of 15, we know we have more work to do. It wouldn’t be possible without our first responder partners across the province, and the contributions of our generous sponsors and donors,” said Cops for Cancer senior manager Ninon Daubigeon.
To make a donation go to www.tourdenorth.ca.
