South Bruce OPP have raised $3,000 by cycling 47 km in support of the Canadian Cancer Society in the Cops for Cancer campaign.
Their goal is $5,000 and donations are still being welcomed.
The ride took place on Friday, October 22nd, beginning at the Walkerton OPP detachment and ending at the Kincardine detachment.
A release says,with cancer being the leading cause of disease-related death in children under the age of 15 years, local law enforcement and emergency services personnel groups once again partnered with the Canadian Cancer Society to help children and their families.
Funds raised through the Cops for Cancer event support research that is helping to save and improve the lives of children locally and nationally, in addition to support services for children with cancer and their families.
Acting Sergeant Steven Gingerich, who organized this year’s ride says, “Cancer affects all of us, but it often affects kids and young families the hardest and they need our support,” he adds, “The support funds new and better treatments, but it also helps kids be kids through a very difficult time in their lives.”
The release from OPP and the Cancer Society says more than 84 per cent of children diagnosed with cancer will survive at least five years past diagnosis, compared with 71 per cent in the 1980s. It says this progress, is in part, thanks to the advancements in cancer research funded by the Canadian Cancer Society.
It says, “Yet more work needs to be done. 2 out of 3 childhood cancer survivors suffer long-term side effects from their treatment.”
Cops for Cancer first began in 1997, when Sergeant Gary Goulet of the Edmonton Police Service met Lyle Jorgenson, a then 5-year-old boy who had cancer. Goulet requested the meeting after learning that Lyle was being ridiculed at school because of his hair loss due to chemotherapy. Goulet was so moved by the boy’s story that he rallied his colleagues to shave their heads in solidarity. The Cops for Cancer movement was born when Goulet contacted the Canadian Cancer Society to hold a head shaving fundraiser. The event concept spread and evolved to police services across the country.
You can still help them reach their $5000 goal by donating to team South Bruce OPP with this link:
https://support.cancer.ca/site/TR/CopsforCancer/COPS_NW_even_?team_id=483050&pg=team&fr_id=27814.
#SouthBruceOPP organized a bike ride fund raiser in support of @cancersociety. The 47 kilometer ride raised over $2,700 which was donated to @COPS4theCURE. #Community #WorkingTogether ^km pic.twitter.com/IhPwWboIG7
— OPP West Region (@OPP_WR) October 25, 2021