Ryan Moore, this year's Cops for Cancer Tour de Coast official Buddy, looks like any other rambunctious seven-year-old. He love to high-five with his cop friends, play with his sister Hannah, 10, and just generally do all the things boys love. But dig a little bit and talk to his mom, Kim and a different picture emerges.
Back in spring 2010 Ryan and Hannah had the flu.
"(Ryan) didn't get over it. He had bruises all over him, neck pain and was tired all the time. He played T-ball and couldn't swing the bat properly because his neck hurt," Kim said.
Finally after a couple of weeks of thinking Ryan had some sort of virus she took the lad to her family doctor.
Right away the doctor sent Ryan for extensive blood work and within two hours they had the diagnosis no parent every wants to hear - Ryan had leukemia.
"I didn't even know what leukemia was. I knew about cancer, but not leukemia," Kim explained.
For the next seven months Kim lived at Ronald McDonald House in Vancouver while Ryan was treated at BC Children's Hospital. Hannah lived at home in Sechelt with Kim's parents and saw her mom and brother on the weekends.
The first treatments were intensive for the boy.
"(Ryan) had needles in the legs, needles in the chest for seven months. He still has chemo top-ups every four week," Kim said.
Through it all the B.C. Cancer Agency, the Canadian Cancer Society and other philanthropic organizations have come through in a big way for the single mom and her family. Canadian Cancer Society pays for his costly medications and the family went to Australia to see Ryan's dad courtesy of the Make a Wish Foundation.
She's quick to praise the two young constables from the Sunshine Coast riding in this year's Tour de Coast.
"Nobody's child should have cancer. For them to take the opportunity to raise money for cancer this way is one of the most selfless things they can do. They're real generous, good-hearted caring men. They understand how difficult it's been," Kim mused.
For their part, Sunshine Coast RCMP constables Colin Bissell and Mark Wiebe are happy to do what they can to raise funds for pediatric cancer research. One of the highlights of the day on Sept. 22 when the ride came through the Sunshine Coast was the stop at Ryan's school, Roberts Creek Elementary.
Other riders are in awe in the ability of the Sunshine Coast's pair to raise funds. At a salmon dinner for the group hosted by the Rotary Club of the Sunshine Coast more than one off-Coaster said how lucky Bissell and Wiebe were to be in such close contact with local people. In the large urban centres of Metro Vancouver the riders struggle for every dime raised. Here, a Burnaby Mountie said, everyone comes out and waves and cheers on the participants.
While neither of the local riders has been touched by cancer in their immediate families, both have seen the effects of the disease in friends' families. And it's not hard to tell the place in their hearts that their little Buddy holds.
"He's awesome, full of energy," Bissell said.
A sentiment echoed by his fellow rider.
"Ryan's a little monkey, a bundle of energy," Wiebe laughed.
Their reason for riding is never far from their minds.
"It's heart wrenching to see this happen to kids -Ryan and all the kids we've met on the way. It's very simple for me to take time out to do this," Wiebe shared.
If you'd like to donate to this cause go to Cops for Cancer BC.ca and click on make a donation.
