This year I am participating in the 2020 Cops For Cancer Tour de Valley to support the mission of the Canadian Cancer Society.

The Tour de Valley is a nine-day bike tour from Tsawwassen to Boston Bar and back. This year, from September 17 to September 25, our team of law enforcement personnel and guest riders will ride over 850 km throughout the Fraser Valley. We will be visiting many local schools and businesses to raise money and awareness for childhood cancer research and support Camp Goodtimes, a recreational summer camp program for children and families living with cancer. Our goal this year is to raise over $600,000!

My cancer journey started when I was only 11 years old. I was fortunate enough to have received some of the best cancer treatment available at BC Children’s Hospital and with each passing year since, the scars have faded a little bit more and cancer has become a distant memory in my life.

I wish this could be true for every child who has had cancer, that we could all grow old, graduate from high school, go to university, and have our whole future to look forward to.

But it’s not…

And that’s really why I am riding; why I am doing this.

And as I reflect back on my journey, there are too many people I wish were still here.

The question I find myself trying to answer is this: Why do I still get to be here? Maybe I am being a little too introspective, but what am I doing to help others? And what can I do to create a meaningful life for myself and others?

This is not about my cancer journey anymore. It’s for everyone who is not here, and everyone who will be diagnosed in the future. Because, that is the thing about cancer, it can happen to anyone and most of us know someone who has had cancer or will know someone because 1 in 3 Canadians will be diagnosed with cancer is their lifetime.

Please consider donating to help me reach my personal fundraising goal of $6,000 to support Camp Goodtimes and cancer research.

The Canadian Cancer Society’s Camp Goodtimes is quite possibly one of the most magical places on earth. It is a recreational summer camp for children and their families to escape cancer. Camp allowed me to be a kid again; I felt normal for the first time since I was diagnosed with cancer

This money will go towards a lifetime of memories and friendships that will be formed at Kids Camp Programs. It will allow parents and caregivers to have a moment of respite from their cancer crisis and connect with one another at Family Programs and teens and young adults will form everlasting bonds at Teen Camp and the Youth Retreat.

Moreover, research saves lives. 30 years ago, the cancer I was diagnosed with was untreatable, today it has an almost 90% survival rate, because of research.

I am honoured to be part of this great event this year, from the bottom of my heart, thank-you for your support and generosity.

Roohy