Riders participating in this year’s Tour de Rock rolled into Lantzville’s Aspengrove School on Monday and were greeted by hundreds of cheering students and staff.
In a brief ceremony, the 24 riders received T-shirts from the Aspengrove students. They also heard speeches from staff and those impacted by cancer.
Angela Douthwaite, whose daughter was diagnosed with cancer and currently attends Aspengrove, told the crowd how grateful she was to see so many people support the Tour de Rock.
“By showing your support for the Tour de Rock, you guys are showing your support for children with cancer,” she said.
Cops for Cancer Tour de Rock is an annual 1,100-kilometre bike ride across Vancouver Island that raises funds for the Canadian Cancer Society, which then uses the money to support research and other programs, such as Camp Goodtimes, a summer camp in Maple Ridge for children with cancer and their families.
- INTERACTIVE MAP: Follow the 2017 Tour de Rock
Speaking to the News Bulletin afterward, Douthwaite and her husband, Simon, said the support from the community has been wonderful.
“It’s emotional,” Angela said.
Chelsea, now 6, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia shortly before her third birthday when the family was living in Malaysia. Since then, Chelsea has had to endure multiple rounds of chemotherapy.
According to the Canadian Cancer Society, ALL is a type of cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow and is the most common type of leukemia diagnosed in children.
Tour de Rock’s ability to raise money to support the Canadian Cancer Society’s programs has had a direct impact on the Douthwaites, who were able to stay for a few nights at Camp Goodtimes.
The Douthwaites said Camp Goodtimes was a magical experience that allowed them relax and be at peace.
“It was the first time we had all come together as a family and relaxed because you’re never really relaxed when your child is on chemotherapy,” Angela said.
Cops for Cancer Tour de Rock has managed to raise more than $20 million since it began in 1998. The tour’s final stop will be in Victoria on Friday. While in Nanaimo, the team also had a gala dinner Sunday at the Coast Bastion Hotel and then stopped by a community barbecue at Thrifty Foods at Port Place mall on Monday.
nicholas.pescod@nanaimobulletin.com
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