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Journey toward a cancer cure

Knowing there are people willing to donate their time and money to help find a cure for this illness can be some small comfort.

The 2014 Tour de Rock team left Victoria bound for Port Alice on Vancouver Island’s north coast to begin the long trek down Island this weekend.

Riding with them, representing Oak Bay, is Jordan Carrie, a 30-year-old reserve constable with the Oak Bay police.

Carrie is excited to represent not only our local police force, but the people of Oak Bay as well, and we should be proud of his effort.

He and the other 23 members of the team, roughly half from the south Island and half from the north, all in police-related fields, aside from the three media riders and guest rider Dean Norris-Jones, have given up time at work and with family to embark on this journey.

The 1,000 kilometre bike ride down the length of the Island, raising money along the way for kids with cancer is one of the largest fundraisers on the Island and it has spread across the province with tours in the north, south and interior of BC.

It’s sometimes easy to feel complacent, to sigh and say to yourself, ‘not another fundraiser’ but the Tour de Rock is one that we should all support because the funding goes to help children with cancer – a disease that is unfailing in its ability to attack those of any age, race or gender – even those just on the cusp of life.

To have a child diagnosed with cancer is to enter a realm of horrific tests, medical treatments, hospital stays and fear. The fear of losing a child comes with parenthood, but the very real fear families of kids with cancer face is unimaginable to most of us.

However, knowing there are people willing to donate their time and money to help find a cure for this illness can be some small comfort.

The riders arrive in Oak Bay on Oct. 2. One of the easiest ways you can support them is through Oak Bay High’s fundraising efforts. They were out in force last weekend collecting cans and bottles to add to their efforts and students are still out canvassing neighbourhoods to help raise funds. Go to oakbay.sd61.bc.ca and click on the quick link to Cops for Cancer to learn more.