Cops ride across Niagara against cancer
Twenty-eight law enforcement and emergency services personnel are cycling 400 km across the Golden Horseshoe until Friday to raise funds and awareness for childhood cancer research and support services at the Canadian Cancer Society.
Niagara Regional Police, Royal Canadian Mounted Police and Niagara Emergency Medical Services are partnering with the Canadian Cancer Society for the inaugural Cops for Cancer Tour de Golden Horseshoe to help patients and their families. Meridian Credit Union is a sponsor of the tour and riders are stopping at the organization’s branches in Fort Erie and Grimsby along with the head office in St. Catharines.
September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month as cancer is the leading cause of disease-related death in children under the age of 15.
The Cops for Cancer Tour de Golden Horseshoe has raised $159,776, exceeding a goal of $130,000.
“We are thrilled to launch Tour de Golden Horseshoe with our partners from the NRPS and other local first responder groups,” said the cancer society’s Karen Viersen, senior manager, Niagara Hamilton, Brant-Norfolk Community Office.
“Fundraising enables progress and change and it’s through partnerships like this and the generosity of the community that the Canadian Cancer Society is able to advance our work so that fewer children and their families are impacted by cancer.”
Cops for Cancer began in 1994, when Sgt. Gary Goulet of the Edmonton Police Service met then five-year-old Lyle Jorgenson, who had cancer. Goulet learned that Lyle was being ridiculed at school because of his hair loss due to chemotherapy. The Cops for Cancer movement was born when Goulet contacted the Canadian Cancer Society to hold a head shaving fundraiser. The concept spread and evolved to neighbouring police forces and eventually across the country raising millions of dollars for childhood cancer research and support services.
“Having had the privilege and honour of cycling with the Cops for Cancer teams in my previous role in B.C., I am honoured to have been asked by Chief Bryan MacCulloch to assist in bringing and leading this initiative in Niagara,” said Bill Fordy, Niagara’s deputy chief.
“We are committed to the well-being of our members, their families, and the communities we serve. This is an amazing opportunity to connect with our communities, and the youth in particular, while helping raise moneys for pediatric cancer research.”
To learn more, pledge a rider or make a donation, visit copsforcancer.ca. Funds raised through the tour will support world-class research that is helping to save and improve the lives of children locally and across the country, in addition to support services such as Wheels of Hope which helps patients and their families get to cancer treatment appointments.