This year, the Tour de Rock will have four riders from Victoria and Esquimalt.
These will include RCMP rider Troy Mann, Esquimalt military police rider Mary Larkin and two B.C. Emergency Health Services riders Michael Lowey and Katie Olson.
READ MORE: Cops for Cancer team features 19 riders from across Vancouver Island
Cops for Cancer Tour de Rock is an annual event where law enforcement and emergency services personnel cycle across Vancouver Island, raising money for childhood cancer research and support services at the Canadian Cancer Society.
The society is the largest national charitable funder of childhood cancer research and is determined to continue supporting children and families living with cancer with the help of donations.
For many riders, September will mark their first time participating in Tour de Rock, but Olson and Lowey actually helped with medical support for emergency responders during two previous years.
“In 2019, I was invited to volunteer on support crew as one of the paramedics for the first week. I had no idea what to expect but when we arrived in Port Alice on the first day I was completely blown away by how the community responded to the Tour,” Olson said.
“I did another year on support crew last year in 2022 and it was a no-brainer – I had to apply to ride.”
Lowey was born and raised in Chile, and immigrated to Canada 23 years ago. When he first came to Canada, he lived in Ladysmith for the first year, and moved to Victoria in 2001.
His taste on the support crew also whet his appetite.
“I did it for two years in a row and that opened my eyes as to what pediatric cancer is all about. After that, I was itching to have the opportunity to ride with everyone, and this year I was lucky enough to be suggested by the Canadian Cancer Society,” Lowey said.
Meanwhile, Mann decided to join the cycling tour after working in Victoria for a number of years and hearing about the number of children’s lives that it has changed for the better. It also has a personal connection to him.
“I’ve had a number of family members die from cancer, so the idea of finding a cure drives me forward,” he said. “I am hopeful that in the future, the Tour de Rock is not needed and we will have found a solution to cure pediatric cancer.”
Originally from Ontario, Larkin didn’t arrive in Esquimalt until the beginning of 2020. She was immediately interested in joining the event after hearing about it from one of her colleagues.
“Just them talking about all of the good that it does for these kids is such an important thing,” Larkin said.
READ MORE: Greater Victoria Tour de Rock members inspired by the kids they’re riding for
The first ride took place in 1997 and now the goal is to raise $1 million for pediatric cancer research. They are currently at just over $130,000.
“Vancouver Island is so supportive of the Tour de Rock, no matter where we go. As more people come to the Island, it’s just gonna get bigger and bigger. Then they learn about it, just like how I did,” Larkin said.
Many of the participants understand how important this is, especially for the children and families being affected.
“Once you start with this, it changes you forever. You get to meet the kids affected by cancer during the ride, and you see their families. It’s very emotional,” Lowey said.
One of the support programs that benefits is Camp Goodtimes, a medically-supervised recreation experience for children and teens affected by cancer and their families.
Since the event began, the partnership between first responders and the Canadian Cancer Society has raised nearly $52 million to increase survival rates and support children living with cancer and their families.
“We need kids to not only survive their diagnosis, but thrive afterwards as well,” Olson said. “No kid will go through their journey alone, and it’s important they know that Vancouver Island is behind them.”
The event, which involves cycling for 14 days and 1,200 kilometres, takes place from Sept. 23 to Oct. 6. The ride begins in Port Alice and finishes up in Victoria.
