This is the week that has special meaning for many of us who have lost loved ones to cancer. On Sunday forward-thinking compassionate Coast residents will slap on their sneakers and walk, run or jog in remembrance of Terry Fox and his amazing legacy. This year, with the death of Terry's indomitable mother Betty, the run will have poignancy for many. We hope it will be a banner year on the Coast.
Events will take place in Gibsons at the Community Centre beginning at 9 a.m. with registration and at Roberts Creek Elementary School starting at 10 a.m. Everyone is welcome to participate.
Later in the week Cops for Cancer Tour de Coast, including our own constables Colin Bissell and Mark Wiebe, will once again brave the nasty hills of the Sunshine Coast to raise money for pediatric cancer research. Each year men and women from various police detachments as well as other first responders take a week away from their own families to shine a light on the scourge that is cancer. In all kinds of weather they pedal their bikes. Some of them are experienced riders, others are novices to the sport. By the time they get to the Coast on Thursday, Sept. 22, most of them will be aware of muscles they never knew they had. Whatever their level of expertise, they're all heroes in our eyes.
While our hearts swell in memory of our beloved children who did not win their fight with cancer, it helps to know that many are now beating the dread disease.
At this time we give thanks for the continued good health of past Buddies (the designated youngsters the cops ride for each year). We see the charming Renee Desaulniers chatting with her customers at the grocery checkout and remember her tiredness back in 2004 when she was the little Buddy. We see the lovely Alena Padovni and recall her dad's harrowing account of Alena's battle with cancer. We revel in the good health of Mason Gregory, 2009's Buddy. How wonderful it would be if every child were still here.
And while we salute the riders with their sore legs, backs and bums, we also want to acknowledge one of the folks who work so tirelessly for this cause. The community owes a huge debt of gratitude to fireball Catherine Gadsby who year after year heads up the Cops for Cancer Red Serge Ladies Gala. And while she'll be the first to say she couldn't do it without the help of the many volunteers and excellent businesses we have, it still takes one magical person to keep the wheels rolling.
We have a wonderful community. Per capita we raise more than almost any other in B.C. for the Cops for Cancer ride. Someday, with a little luck and a lot of praying, the effort will no longer be necessary. In the meantime, thank you all.
