W4 Wednesday, August 22, 2018
Tofino-Ucluelet Westerly News
Thank you to our 2018 Tour de Rock Sponsors TOUR SPONSOR
PLATINUM SPONSORS
Trek Bicycle Store MEDIA SPONSORS
www.westerlynews.ca
www.westerlynews.ca
Tofino-Ucluelet Westerly News
Wednesday, August 22, 2018 W1
What is Cops for Cancer Tour de Rock?
C
ops for Cancer Tour de Rock is a twoweek bicycle journey in which a team of police officers and other first responders ride the length of Vancouver Island, visiting 27 communities, raising money to fight childhood cancer. The Canadian Cancer Society, Cops for Cancer Tour de Rock is proud to be the largest charitable supporter of childhood cancer research in Canada. Since 1998, Tour de Rock has raised more than $24 million for the Canadian Cancer Society. The story goes back to 1994, when a group of Edmonton police officers shaved their heads in support of a boy who had lost his hair due to chemotherapy. By 1997, the Cops for Cancer head shaves had reached Victoria. The local police wanted to try something bigger and the Tour de Rock was born.
GOLD SPONSORS
Comox Valley ACCOMMODATION SPONSORS
Holiday Inn Express Comox Valley • Inn on Long Lake Canadian Princess Lodge • Black Rock Oceanfront Resort Best Western Plus Barclay Hotel • Best Western Plus Chemainus Inn Travelodge Victoria Airport Sidney • Black Bear Resort Hotel Quality Resort Bayside • Bear Mountain Resort Community SILVER SPONSORS
U-Haul • Mercedes-Benz Nanaimo COMMUNITY SPONSORS
Atomic Crayon • Triangle RV • BC Ferry Services • Tim Hortons-Ladysmith • CREST CBI Rehabilitation in Motion • Victoria Mobile Radio • Artbox • Lifetouch Canada • Old Victoria Water Company Old Dutch Foods • White Spot-Fort Street, Nanaimo North, & Campbell River locations Printing and distribution of Tour de Rock
feature generously sponsored by:
Thanks to your support, many children’s lives have been saved or improved. Through research funded by Vancouver Island through this amazing fundraiser, childhood cancers can now be detected earlier, better treatments are available, and more children are surviving and thriving. Your donations have also sent more than 9,000 kids to Camp Goodtimes over the last 21 years. But there is still more to do. Every year, nearly 950 Canadian children under the age of 15 are diagnosed with cancer, and cancer is still the top cause of death among children in Canada. Two-thirds of these survivors will suffer serious longterm side effects from their treatment. Your support of Cops for Cancer over the past 21 years has supported research into new ways to detect, diagnose and treat childhood cancers, as well as reduce the side-effects that are a result of their treatments. You make a difference. Thank you.
Help Kids with Cancer Donate Now at TourdeRock.ca To get involved, contact: Katie Crowe, Tour de Rock Coordinator kcrowe@bc.cancer.ca | 250-592-2244 facebook.com/ CopsTourdeRock instagram @tourderock_
@TourdeRock and mention #forthekids
Cops for Cancer Tour de Rock TourdeRock.ca • Sept 22 – Oct 5, 2018
W2 Wednesday, August 22, 2018
Tofino-Ucluelet Westerly News
www.westerlynews.ca
Tour de Rock is ‘A Perfect Fit for First Responders’ BY KYLE SLAVIN
S
ince the earliest days of Tour de Rock, the words “Cops for Cancer” haven’t painted the most accurate picture of this fundraising event. The Tour de Rock’s success is about so much more than just cops. It is thanks to generous communities and organizations, children and adults that we are now celebrating more than 20 years on Vancouver Island. Even the ride itself has never been exclusive to cops. Pediatric cancer survivors and their parents, teachers, long-time volunteers, members of the media and more have also had the opportunity to participate as riders. But at its core and since the beginning, the Tour de Rock was an idea that came from police officers as an extension of their careers as supporters of their community. “My earliest memories of the Tour de Rock are of Martin [Pepper, the Saanich Police
officer who came up with the idea for the bike ride] and seeing him represent our department that first year,” says Saanich Police Deputy Chief Scott Green. “At the time I probably didn’t appreciate how much it would grow and how big it would get, and the types of partnerships that would be built on that foundation.” From the perspective of the Canadian Cancer Society, those partnerships with police departments have been crucial to the longevity of the Tour de Rock. Without the support of officers on Vancouver Island, the Tour de Rock could not exist. “Cancer impacts everyone, and it knows no boundaries. Police are community leaders. If we can raise money using our uniform for something that’s impacting every sector of our community, especially if it’s for kids, then it’s a good fit for us,” says Victoria Police Chief Constable Del Manak. Support for the Tour de Rock is deeply embedded in police agencies all over Vancouver Island. Having full support from the highest-ranking officers demonstrates within an organization that they recognize the benefits of
participating in the Tour de Rock. That’s even more true for the RCMP, which serves the majority of Vancouver Island. “One of our priorities in the RCMP is ‘Safe Homes, Safe Communities,’ and we really take pride in the fact that we get engaged in our communities,” says Chief Superintendent Sean Sullivan, Island District Commander for the RCMP. “We prioritize engaging in a law enforcement capacity to make our communities both safer and healthier, and the Tour de Rock is a natural progression to that. First and foremost, it’s an incredible opportunity to assist in raising funds to find a cure for cancer. But also from that, police officers are connecting communities and bringing people together and supporting families impacted by cancer.” Green is a strong advocate for the Tour de Rock because he fully understands what it means. Before being promoted to Deputy Chief in Saanich, Green rode in the Tour de Rock in 2011, calling it “one of the most inspiring things I’ve ever done.” He says if any officer were to approach him as Deputy Chief about considering becoming a rider, Green would strongly encourage them to get involved.
“I would tell them, ‘Absolutely, do it.’ It’s a great experience, a great opportunity, and this department and the chief, myself, senior officers, we support that 100% and do everything we can to support the Tour,” he says. Even behind the scenes, the support from first responders is remarkable. Many of the trainers, organizers and volunteers are alumni riders – cops who have remained actively involved in the cause after riding.
And that behind-the-scenes support extends far beyond cops. BC Ambulance Service has every year provided paramedics and supplies to the Tour de Rock to help ensure the riders’ safety during the two-week event. Fire departments all over Vancouver Island, too, have long supported their first
Tofino-Ucluelet Westerly News
www.westerlynews.ca
responder brothers and sisters over the years. Last year, to celebrate the 20th Tour de Rock ride, paramedics and firefighters were invited to join the team for the first time ever. That invitation continues this year, too. “I was thrilled when the team was opened up to paramedics because this is something that we’ve always had our heart in,” says Lance Stephenson, Director of Patient Care Delivery for BC Ambulance Service. “This is a cause that’s close to our hearts, but it’s also an opportunity to be more embedded in a team of prehospital-care first responders. We truly are a team, with police, fire and EMS, in our day-to-day operations, so it’s a great fit to be a team fundraising for children and families.” Stephenson, Sullivan, Manak and Green say they recognize just how great an opportunity the Tour de Rock is for first responders in their careers. “It’s about serving others and really providing selfless service. I hear from those who have participated in the ride who say it’s truly been lifechanging in how they approach life in general and how they approach their profession,” Manak says. “That’s what I want. I’m looking for police officers who are kind, compassionate, engaged. I want them to be emotionally attached to their job because when someone is emotionally invested in what they do, that’s when you get the best out of them. The Tour de Rock helps bring that out.” “We get inserted in people’s lives usually at the most
inopportune times, in a state of crisis for whatever reason. The Tour de Rock provides our members with the opportunity to be part of something that is inspiring, motivating and special,” adds Sullivan. Stephenson says the Tour de Rock is a perfect fit for first responders because both attract the same type of person: “Despite some pretty bad stuff they see and go through in their jobs, our staff and all first responders are very committed, emotional people with big hearts. That’s why they’re out there doing what
they do. Behind every uniform is a person – a father, a mother, a child, who, through their work or through the Tour de Rock, wants to make a positive difference in people’s lives,” Stephenson says. “Even 21 years in, to become a member of the Tour is considered a real honour and a privilege. Officers see it as a real honourable thing to do,” Manak adds. “When our officers make that commitment, they understand there are rewards that will be with them for a lifetime. Until they go through the process, that’s when they truly realize the gift and benefits they received of going through the Tour de Rock – as humans and as first responders.”
Wednesday, August 22, 2018 W3
Tour de Rock Events Calendar Eat Pizza & Help Kids at Boston Pizza Saturday, September 15 All Day $5 from any large pizza sold (including take-out/delivery orders) at all Vancouver Island locations will go to the Tour de Rock!
Boston Pizza Beer & Burger in Port Alberni Saturday, August 25 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Beer & Burger, auctions, raffles and more. Tickets ($25) available at Boston Pizza.
SOUTH ISLAND
Back to School Block Party in Nanaimo Saturday, September 1 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Join the fun at Woodgrove Centre. 15% of Chapters sales to TdR, BBQ at Save-On-Foods, and Hair-cut-a-thon at DayDream Salon! For haircut tickets, contact Tanya at 250-888-9497.
Jail & Bail at Hillside Centre in Victoria Friday, September 14 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Get busted for the cause! Contact Diana.zinck@bc.cancer.ca for details.
NORTH ISLAND
Greater Victoria Bottle Drive August & September at Bottle Depot Locations Take all your bottles to your local Bottle Depot’s donation bin! All funds support Tour de Rock. Visit bottledepot.ca for locations.
Tour de Rock Zumbathan at WZ Latin Party Fitness Sunday, September 16 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Entry by donation. All ages welcome. Contact Celine Hall at 250.413.7213 or celine@westshorezumba.com. 2nd Annual Oak Bay 1st Responders Cops for Cancer Challenge Cup Thursday, September 27 at 1:30 p.m. Oak Bay 1st responders will take on Oak Bay High students in a fun hockey game at Oak Bay Rec. Donations at the door.
MID ISLAND
Loggers Sport Exhibition in Ladysmith Sunday, September 2 at 2 p.m. Loggers sports, concession and fun for the whole family at Transfer Beach Amphitheatre. By donation.
North Island Timing Assoc. Concession in Port Hardy Saturday, August 25 & Sunday, August 26 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Come to the drag races and support Tour de Rock Ben at the concession stand. Great food, Tour de Rock swag, silent auction and 50/50 draw. Contact Brenda at 250-949-6335. Sayward Chili Cook Off at New Sayward Village Gazebo Sunday, September 2 from 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Chili tasting by donation (min $5 per person), silent and live auction, music, fun activities! Call John at 250-282-0184 or Sayward Futures 250-282-0018 to register. Campbell River Jail & Bail at Tyee Chev Wednesday, September 12 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Get busted for the cause! Contact Nicole at n.emery73@gmail.com or Alli at AllisonRoberts@rlcparks.ca.
For a complete listing of Tour de Rock fundraising events in your community visit TourdeRock.ca
W2 Wednesday, August 22, 2018
Tofino-Ucluelet Westerly News
www.westerlynews.ca
Tour de Rock is ‘A Perfect Fit for First Responders’ BY KYLE SLAVIN
S
ince the earliest days of Tour de Rock, the words “Cops for Cancer” haven’t painted the most accurate picture of this fundraising event. The Tour de Rock’s success is about so much more than just cops. It is thanks to generous communities and organizations, children and adults that we are now celebrating more than 20 years on Vancouver Island. Even the ride itself has never been exclusive to cops. Pediatric cancer survivors and their parents, teachers, long-time volunteers, members of the media and more have also had the opportunity to participate as riders. But at its core and since the beginning, the Tour de Rock was an idea that came from police officers as an extension of their careers as supporters of their community. “My earliest memories of the Tour de Rock are of Martin [Pepper, the Saanich Police
officer who came up with the idea for the bike ride] and seeing him represent our department that first year,” says Saanich Police Deputy Chief Scott Green. “At the time I probably didn’t appreciate how much it would grow and how big it would get, and the types of partnerships that would be built on that foundation.” From the perspective of the Canadian Cancer Society, those partnerships with police departments have been crucial to the longevity of the Tour de Rock. Without the support of officers on Vancouver Island, the Tour de Rock could not exist. “Cancer impacts everyone, and it knows no boundaries. Police are community leaders. If we can raise money using our uniform for something that’s impacting every sector of our community, especially if it’s for kids, then it’s a good fit for us,” says Victoria Police Chief Constable Del Manak. Support for the Tour de Rock is deeply embedded in police agencies all over Vancouver Island. Having full support from the highest-ranking officers demonstrates within an organization that they recognize the benefits of
participating in the Tour de Rock. That’s even more true for the RCMP, which serves the majority of Vancouver Island. “One of our priorities in the RCMP is ‘Safe Homes, Safe Communities,’ and we really take pride in the fact that we get engaged in our communities,” says Chief Superintendent Sean Sullivan, Island District Commander for the RCMP. “We prioritize engaging in a law enforcement capacity to make our communities both safer and healthier, and the Tour de Rock is a natural progression to that. First and foremost, it’s an incredible opportunity to assist in raising funds to find a cure for cancer. But also from that, police officers are connecting communities and bringing people together and supporting families impacted by cancer.” Green is a strong advocate for the Tour de Rock because he fully understands what it means. Before being promoted to Deputy Chief in Saanich, Green rode in the Tour de Rock in 2011, calling it “one of the most inspiring things I’ve ever done.” He says if any officer were to approach him as Deputy Chief about considering becoming a rider, Green would strongly encourage them to get involved.
“I would tell them, ‘Absolutely, do it.’ It’s a great experience, a great opportunity, and this department and the chief, myself, senior officers, we support that 100% and do everything we can to support the Tour,” he says. Even behind the scenes, the support from first responders is remarkable. Many of the trainers, organizers and volunteers are alumni riders – cops who have remained actively involved in the cause after riding.
And that behind-the-scenes support extends far beyond cops. BC Ambulance Service has every year provided paramedics and supplies to the Tour de Rock to help ensure the riders’ safety during the two-week event. Fire departments all over Vancouver Island, too, have long supported their first
Tofino-Ucluelet Westerly News
www.westerlynews.ca
responder brothers and sisters over the years. Last year, to celebrate the 20th Tour de Rock ride, paramedics and firefighters were invited to join the team for the first time ever. That invitation continues this year, too. “I was thrilled when the team was opened up to paramedics because this is something that we’ve always had our heart in,” says Lance Stephenson, Director of Patient Care Delivery for BC Ambulance Service. “This is a cause that’s close to our hearts, but it’s also an opportunity to be more embedded in a team of prehospital-care first responders. We truly are a team, with police, fire and EMS, in our day-to-day operations, so it’s a great fit to be a team fundraising for children and families.” Stephenson, Sullivan, Manak and Green say they recognize just how great an opportunity the Tour de Rock is for first responders in their careers. “It’s about serving others and really providing selfless service. I hear from those who have participated in the ride who say it’s truly been lifechanging in how they approach life in general and how they approach their profession,” Manak says. “That’s what I want. I’m looking for police officers who are kind, compassionate, engaged. I want them to be emotionally attached to their job because when someone is emotionally invested in what they do, that’s when you get the best out of them. The Tour de Rock helps bring that out.” “We get inserted in people’s lives usually at the most
inopportune times, in a state of crisis for whatever reason. The Tour de Rock provides our members with the opportunity to be part of something that is inspiring, motivating and special,” adds Sullivan. Stephenson says the Tour de Rock is a perfect fit for first responders because both attract the same type of person: “Despite some pretty bad stuff they see and go through in their jobs, our staff and all first responders are very committed, emotional people with big hearts. That’s why they’re out there doing what
they do. Behind every uniform is a person – a father, a mother, a child, who, through their work or through the Tour de Rock, wants to make a positive difference in people’s lives,” Stephenson says. “Even 21 years in, to become a member of the Tour is considered a real honour and a privilege. Officers see it as a real honourable thing to do,” Manak adds. “When our officers make that commitment, they understand there are rewards that will be with them for a lifetime. Until they go through the process, that’s when they truly realize the gift and benefits they received of going through the Tour de Rock – as humans and as first responders.”
Wednesday, August 22, 2018 W3
Tour de Rock Events Calendar Eat Pizza & Help Kids at Boston Pizza Saturday, September 15 All Day $5 from any large pizza sold (including take-out/delivery orders) at all Vancouver Island locations will go to the Tour de Rock!
Boston Pizza Beer & Burger in Port Alberni Saturday, August 25 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Beer & Burger, auctions, raffles and more. Tickets ($25) available at Boston Pizza.
SOUTH ISLAND
Back to School Block Party in Nanaimo Saturday, September 1 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Join the fun at Woodgrove Centre. 15% of Chapters sales to TdR, BBQ at Save-On-Foods, and Hair-cut-a-thon at DayDream Salon! For haircut tickets, contact Tanya at 250-888-9497.
Jail & Bail at Hillside Centre in Victoria Friday, September 14 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Get busted for the cause! Contact Diana.zinck@bc.cancer.ca for details.
NORTH ISLAND
Greater Victoria Bottle Drive August & September at Bottle Depot Locations Take all your bottles to your local Bottle Depot’s donation bin! All funds support Tour de Rock. Visit bottledepot.ca for locations.
Tour de Rock Zumbathan at WZ Latin Party Fitness Sunday, September 16 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Entry by donation. All ages welcome. Contact Celine Hall at 250.413.7213 or celine@westshorezumba.com. 2nd Annual Oak Bay 1st Responders Cops for Cancer Challenge Cup Thursday, September 27 at 1:30 p.m. Oak Bay 1st responders will take on Oak Bay High students in a fun hockey game at Oak Bay Rec. Donations at the door.
MID ISLAND
Loggers Sport Exhibition in Ladysmith Sunday, September 2 at 2 p.m. Loggers sports, concession and fun for the whole family at Transfer Beach Amphitheatre. By donation.
North Island Timing Assoc. Concession in Port Hardy Saturday, August 25 & Sunday, August 26 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Come to the drag races and support Tour de Rock Ben at the concession stand. Great food, Tour de Rock swag, silent auction and 50/50 draw. Contact Brenda at 250-949-6335. Sayward Chili Cook Off at New Sayward Village Gazebo Sunday, September 2 from 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Chili tasting by donation (min $5 per person), silent and live auction, music, fun activities! Call John at 250-282-0184 or Sayward Futures 250-282-0018 to register. Campbell River Jail & Bail at Tyee Chev Wednesday, September 12 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Get busted for the cause! Contact Nicole at n.emery73@gmail.com or Alli at AllisonRoberts@rlcparks.ca.
For a complete listing of Tour de Rock fundraising events in your community visit TourdeRock.ca
W4 Wednesday, August 22, 2018
Tofino-Ucluelet Westerly News
Thank you to our 2018 Tour de Rock Sponsors TOUR SPONSOR
PLATINUM SPONSORS
Trek Bicycle Store MEDIA SPONSORS
www.westerlynews.ca
www.westerlynews.ca
Tofino-Ucluelet Westerly News
Wednesday, August 22, 2018 W1
What is Cops for Cancer Tour de Rock?
C
ops for Cancer Tour de Rock is a twoweek bicycle journey in which a team of police officers and other first responders ride the length of Vancouver Island, visiting 27 communities, raising money to fight childhood cancer. The Canadian Cancer Society, Cops for Cancer Tour de Rock is proud to be the largest charitable supporter of childhood cancer research in Canada. Since 1998, Tour de Rock has raised more than $24 million for the Canadian Cancer Society. The story goes back to 1994, when a group of Edmonton police officers shaved their heads in support of a boy who had lost his hair due to chemotherapy. By 1997, the Cops for Cancer head shaves had reached Victoria. The local police wanted to try something bigger and the Tour de Rock was born.
GOLD SPONSORS
Comox Valley ACCOMMODATION SPONSORS
Holiday Inn Express Comox Valley • Inn on Long Lake Canadian Princess Lodge • Black Rock Oceanfront Resort Best Western Plus Barclay Hotel • Best Western Plus Chemainus Inn Travelodge Victoria Airport Sidney • Black Bear Resort Hotel Quality Resort Bayside • Bear Mountain Resort Community SILVER SPONSORS
U-Haul • Mercedes-Benz Nanaimo COMMUNITY SPONSORS
Atomic Crayon • Triangle RV • BC Ferry Services • Tim Hortons-Ladysmith • CREST CBI Rehabilitation in Motion • Victoria Mobile Radio • Artbox • Lifetouch Canada • Old Victoria Water Company Old Dutch Foods • White Spot-Fort Street, Nanaimo North, & Campbell River locations Printing and distribution of Tour de Rock
feature generously sponsored by:
Thanks to your support, many children’s lives have been saved or improved. Through research funded by Vancouver Island through this amazing fundraiser, childhood cancers can now be detected earlier, better treatments are available, and more children are surviving and thriving. Your donations have also sent more than 9,000 kids to Camp Goodtimes over the last 21 years. But there is still more to do. Every year, nearly 950 Canadian children under the age of 15 are diagnosed with cancer, and cancer is still the top cause of death among children in Canada. Two-thirds of these survivors will suffer serious longterm side effects from their treatment. Your support of Cops for Cancer over the past 21 years has supported research into new ways to detect, diagnose and treat childhood cancers, as well as reduce the side-effects that are a result of their treatments. You make a difference. Thank you.
Help Kids with Cancer Donate Now at TourdeRock.ca To get involved, contact: Katie Crowe, Tour de Rock Coordinator kcrowe@bc.cancer.ca | 250-592-2244 facebook.com/ CopsTourdeRock instagram @tourderock_
@TourdeRock and mention #forthekids
Cops for Cancer Tour de Rock TourdeRock.ca • Sept 22 – Oct 5, 2018