Sunshine Coast RCMP officers Kevin Shepherd and Steve Kahng took a break from pedaling on Sept. 22 to talk with Coast Reporter about their Cops for Cancer tour so far and to thank the community for raising more than $43,000 for pediatric cancer research.
Shepherd said the final tally for the Ladies’ Night Red Serge Gala was $42,250, which “is just amazing.”
“It blows us away,” Shepherd said. “I think it’s almost one of the best years ever and it always amazes me how the Coast pulls through and supports Cops for Cancer every year.”
Kahng agreed the support from the Coast was incredible.
“Personally and professionally it has uplifted my spirits just to see how much people care,” he said.
The local officers had planned a ride with students to help raise more money for the cause, but the teachers’ strike made the ride impossible. Instead the officers did some personal fundraising and were able to add some cash to the tally, bumping it up to over $43,000.
With the fundraising done Shepherd and Kahng swapped their red serge for spandex on Sept. 17 and set out on a 900-km bike ride with other officers and first responders to help raise awareness of their effort.
The team of Cops for Cancer riders pedaled through the Coast on Sept. 18 making stops in Sechelt and Madeira Park where community members gathered to cheer them on.
Kids at Little Scholars Childcare welcomed the riders with banners, cowbells and pompoms before hearing how the officers were raising money to help find a cure for pediatric cancer so that one day, no child will have to suffer through the disease.
During the ride when things were difficult, both Kahng and Shepherd said they were reminded of their little buddy Griffynn Barlow, who has battled cancer twice and made the officers friendship bracelets to wear on their journey.
Kahng suffered leg cramps on the first day that made riding up hills particularly difficult.
“While I was riding and looked down at that bracelet it was a good reminder of the hardships that Griffynn went through, and just in comparison it’s not a big deal going up the hills,” Kahng said.
Shepherd also had difficulty tackling some of the bigger hills on the ride but noted, “When you get to the top of the hill, it’s over, but some of what these little kids have gone through lasts for years.”
Both officers said the cheers and waves from the public helped keep them going on the 900-km ride and Kahng especially appreciated the community groups along the way that met them with food, refreshments and words of encouragement.
“I think those moments are all very precious and left a mark in my memory,” he said.
The officers were set to finish their ride on Sept. 25 after Coast Reporter went to press.
