Cops for Cancer get things rolling at Quinson Elementary

The Cops for Cancer Tour de North officially kicked off its training and fundraising season Thursday at Quinson Elementary School in Prince George.

Excited students, teachers and parents gathered to welcome the 21-member team as they entered the school, introduced themselves to the class and shared their experiences and goals.

The team is made up of BC sheriffs, Prince George RCMP officers, firefighters and community riders, who will spend the next four months training and fundraising ahead of their week-long, 877-kilometre ride to Prince Rupert.

After the assembly, the Grade 7 leadership class presented the team with a cheque for $50, raised through bake sales and other activities. It marked the first donation received for this year’s tour.

The team’s overall fundraising goal is $150,000 for childhood cancer research and support programs, including Camp Goodtimes.

“It allows the kids to be kids again,” said Laura Nelson, tour manager for Cops for Cancer Tour de North. “So much of their life is in and out of hospitals, not being able to go into their school on a regular basis.

“It allows not only kids to be kids again, but allows that family unit to come back together as well. They have family camps, not just kids’ camps. That’s why it’s so impactful. They can come back, they can be kids, they can foster some independence that they wouldn’t otherwise be able to have.”

Shane Kelly, a community rider from Prince George, has fundraised for cancer research for years. However, this is his first year riding in Cops for Cancer. He spoke to The Citizen about his motivation.

“I think we all have ties to cancer, and I have some very close ties,” said Kelly. “Whether it’s close family members or very dear personal friends that I’ve lost, that fight and that struggle, I feel like I’m here, I can do it and I can help with that. That’s what brings me to this.

“I’ve seen the hype around it. Another community rider, Ron Gallo — who I think a lot of people in Prince George know — has generated a lot of energy. Last year, when I saw him do it, I couldn’t wait for a chance to ride with such a fantastic, brave bunch of heroes.”

Kelly has set a personal fundraising goal of $5,000, though he hopes to exceed that for the team.

Another rider, Allison Fenske, a public service employee with the General Investigation Section of the Prince George RCMP, told The Citizen that both personal loss and a desire to help children with cancer inspired her to return for a second year.

“Twenty-eight kids a year die of cancer, and nobody wants that,” said Fenske. “If we can do what we can to raise funds to get those kids back to school, back to their homes, that’s what we’re out here doing. That’s what we want to do.

“Cancer has affected everybody. I lost a good friend to cancer, so that’s what inspired me.”

Fenske hopes to raise $8,000 this year and personally aims to send at least four children to camp.

“It takes the whole community,” said Fenske. “Every rider we’ve got out here is doing the training, doing the fundraising, trying to make a difference. So when you see us out riding, training — give a honk, give a wave.

“If you have questions, stop us, ask us. We’ll tell you all about Camp Goodtimes and all the other stuff.”

To date, Cops for Cancer Tour de North has raised $3 million for the Canadian Cancer Society, contributing to a national total of $54 million raised through Cops for Cancer cycling tours across Canada.

This year’s Tour de North begins Sept. 12 in Prince George and ends Sept. 18 in Prince Rupert.

To learn more about the program or to donate, visit www.copsforcancer.ca.