Cops for Cancer Tour de Valley rolls through Chilliwack, rallies students to raise funds for pediatric cancer

Constable Mark Janzen, one of the 30 riders, told the assembled students that they were motivated by the thought of suffering pediatric patients.

“One child with cancer is one too many,” he said over a microphone. “We’re super excited. To date we’ve raised over $300,000 for childhood cancer [locally]. We’re on Day 3 of nine days. We’re just getting started.”

Janzen presented a plaque to the school as a token of the officers’ gratitude, and fellow officers gave stuffed animals to students who had been personally impacted by cancer, as a further symbol of their gratitude.

According to the Canadian Cancer Society, Cops for Cancer began in 1997 with one police officer who wanted to make a difference. Today, it has grown into an incredible movement across the country that’s changing the lives of children with cancer.

As a partnership between first responders and the Canadian Cancer Society, Cops for Cancer has raised millions of dollars to fund life-saving pediatric cancer research and support children with cancer and their families. Since the program’s inception, nearly $48 million has been raised through Cops for Cancer cycling tours and fundraising events such as head shaves.

The Cops for Cancer Tour de Valley kicked off its journey of over 800 kilometres on Wednesday, September 21, with the goal of elevating awareness and raising funds for the Canadian Cancer Society, pediatric research and support programs, including Camp Goodtimes. The event concludes next week on Thursday, Sept. 29.

This year, the Upper Fraser Valley Regional Detachment and Agassiz RCMP are proud to support four of its own, according to Sgt. Krista Vrolyk, who is one of the four cyclists and is on her second tour. She’ll be joined by Constable Janzen, who addressed the crowd at Vedder Middle, and new to the race this year are first-time riders, Constable Nikole Anderson of Chilliwack RCMP and Constable Jenna Moore of the Agassiz RCMP.

“We are excited to be do our part to raise money for this incredible cause,” Sgt. Vrolyk said. “We ride for the kids and their families who are battling cancer and for those who have tragically lost their battle. One child with cancer is too many and together we are working hard to find a cure. We’ve come a long way in increasing the survival rates for childhood cancer which is currently 83 per cent, but we strive to reduce it even more.”

The ride is a visible reminder that the law enforcement community stands behind pediatric cancer patients.

“We want kids to be kids. No child should have to battle this horrific disease,” Constable Janzen said. “Riding in Tour de Valley is my way to support the kids and their families, providing them with hope that one day we can put an end to childhood cancer.”

To date, Tour de Valley riders have raised more than $250,000 this year and are well on their way to meeting their $300,000 goal. The Cops for Cancer program is the largest national charitable fundraiser for childhood cancer research in Canada.

by Mike Vanden Bosch

Cops for Cancer Tour de Valley rolls through Chilliwack, rallies students to raise funds for pediatric cancer

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