The fundraising arm of the Tour de Coast rendition of the larger Cops for Cancer initiative has set its sights on a goal of $60,000 this year. Its returning committee chair, Kristi Wiebe, told Coast Reporter her group is off to an earlier-than-normal start on those efforts.
Already in their rear-view mirror was a May long weekend garage sale. On May 23, the committee, the Sechelt Legion and popular dance band Blue Western will launch the tour’s first local “Burger and a Beverage” night. Wiebe noted that this is a family-friendly event, with the venue welcoming minors during hours its kitchen is open.
The group will be releasing details next month for its July 20 golf tournament. To be hosted at the Blue Ocean course, it is slated to be a fun-filled 9-hole Texas Scramble.
The always popular and successful Ladies Red Serge Gala fundraiser is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept.10 at Holy Family Catholic Church hall on Nickerson Road in West Sechelt.
For details on those events or to reach out to the committee, browse to Sunshine Coast - Ladies Red Serge Gala on Facebook or email [email protected].
Tour dates and local riders
Sunday, Sept. 14, the bike tour is set to ride through the Coast. Representing the Coast on the eight-day mission that starts Sept. 12 will be B.C. Sheriff's Service officer Samantha Gray, who is taking to the bike for her first charity ride, and veteran of four tours, RCMP Cpl. Mark Wiebe.
Again this year, the local fundraisers are organizing a community day event at the West Sechelt Sunshine Coast Botanical Gardens to mark the tour’s arrival in Sechelt. “It’s such an energetic event. The sea of riders in their jerseys, the way they just roll into the event, the cheers, the signs, the balloons, it’s so nice to see all the community support," said Wiebe.
Noting that the tour receives support from a wide range of individuals, groups and businesses, a standout for Wiebe was the level of 2024 involvement from Coast firefighters. “Not only were they involved in the gala, so many brought their families out to the community day event. It’s full circle, and completely why we do it.”
Still seeking a local 'buddy'
The committee has not yet identified a local youth undergoing cancer treatment or “buddy” for the 2025 initiative. The campaign goes on with or without a young ambassador from our area (there was no ambassador in 2024), Wiebe explained. She encouraged any Coast family in a battle with childhood cancer who would like to be involved to reach out to the committee.
“They can be as involved as they want to be. They can do full on at all events or if they don’t want to be in the spotlight, we can support them in other ways,” she stated. The group has “great connections” that can offer young patients not only support to attend Camp Goodtimes but unique experiences involving the local RCMP detachment, Sheriff’s Service and firefighters.
Background
The overall 2025 fundraising goal for the Tour de Coast, which runs through communities from Pemberton, over to the Sunshine Coast and through the Lower Mainland to Maple Ridge, is $620,000. Cops for Cancer got its start in 1997, and according to the national website, has “grown into a united effort across Canada and has become one of the largest fundraising events for childhood cancer research in the country." A partnership between first responders and the Canadian Cancer Society, it has raised nearly $56 million to increase survival rates and support children living with cancer and their families.
The local chapter raised $58,000 in 2024. As for why Cops for Cancer fundraisers have been so well supported on the Sunshine Coast, Wiebe said sharing stories about how the money raised helps individuals is key.
“The committee of volunteers and the Tour de Coast does an excellent job of reminding people where their money goes. Along with cancer research, a lot of what’s raised goes to advocacy and sending kids to Camp Goodtimes. The effort the Canadian Cancer Society and Cops for Cancer platform makes to bring joy back to people at one of the worst points in their lives, I think that is something that resonates with everybody.”
