South Surrey resident Chris Hilliard was one of 1,500 cyclists from across Canada who set off from Cloverdale Saturday (Aug. 24) in the Tour de Cure.
The fundraising cycling event is the largest in B.C.’s history, raising millions of dollars for cancer care research through the BC Cancer Foundation.
On day one of the event, riders will travel 100km, or 160km for those on the ‘Challenge Route,’ through the Fraser Valley. Riders will camp overnight in Chilliwack before setting off Sunday (Aug. 25) for the event's final 100km to Hope.
What started as a bet has become personal for resident Hilliard.
Over 12 years ago, one of Hilliard's friends told him he did not believe they could do the 200-kilometre fundraising cycle event, the Tour de Cure.
"The first year, we talked about it and chickened out, and the second year, we said, 'well, that's BS, let's do it,' and I've been doing it ever since," Hilliard said.
Since 2012, Hilliard has had friends and almost every family member ride with him, and he has helped raise over $150,000.
This year, his daughter Shannon Donaghy, brother-in-law Rick Davis, and wife Jane Davis will join him on the ride.
"Cancer touches all of us," Hilliard said. "My mother died from breast cancer many years ago. My brother-in-law, who has ridden with me now for 11 years, was diagnosed with cancer 12 years ago and was told he'd only had a 10 per cent shot at making five years, and here he is 12 years later."
Hilliard also lost one of his best friends, Rob Ahlgren, to cancer in 2020.
This year is personal for Hilliard as it is his first time riding as a cancer survivor.
He was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in November 2023 and had surgery on January 2, 2024.
"For all the angst and realizing no system is perfect, frankly, the system works reasonably well and the people in the system are spectacular," Hilliard said.
He also had a knee replacement in February.
"I suppose the trepidation for this year is principally around the knee," Hilliard said. "Knee recoveries are a struggle and six months out, and they typically say it kind of needs 12 months to get back to as good as it's going to get right, so I'm a little concerned. I think it'll just be a matter of I'll be a little slower than I'd like to be," he said.
People from all over B.C. participated in the event.
"There is a sense of camaraderie and excitement when you're standing in a group of a couple of 1,000 people waiting to start and when you're out on the road, whether it's someone who has the golden sleeves (a cancer survivor) or someone who's got the five-year helmet or the 10-year helmet, all the name plates are on the bikes, and so you're riding along, and you'll sort of pedal beside somebody and have a 15- or 20-minute chat," Hilliard said.
William Litchfield, executive director of Vancouver Island for the BC Cancer Foundation, said the rainy weather did not dampen people's spirits.
"You're seeing big smiles of everybody coming in. It's going to be a pretty magical day," Litchfield said. "There's an excitement in the air. Everybody's a little bit nervous; we're getting wet already, but the excitement's here," Litchfield said.
Formerly known as the Ride to Conquer Cancer, the Tour de Cure was created in 2009, and since then it has become a premier fundraising event in B.C., raising millions for leading cancer care innovation through the BC Cancer Foundation.
The event has raised over $131 million for BC Cancer since 2009.
Litchfield encouraged those who have not tried it to give it a try. "We're here every year, so come on out next year, get a team and make a difference for those facing cancer in our province," he said.
The 2025 Tour de Cure will take place on August 23- 24. To register for next year’s event, visit www.tourdecure.ca.
