To the beat of drums and the memory of Carol Harry, members of the Squamish Nation gave 22 police officers cycling the Tour de Coast section of Cops for Cancer a hero's welcome at Totem Hall Saturday (Sept. 22).
The Canadian Cancer Society arranged the 700-km journey in conjunction with local communities to raise money for pediatric cancer research. It was the seventh year Squamish Nation hosted the riders, but the first time it was open to the entire community.
Thanks to triple the amount of donations from last year, the silent auction raised more than $3,500 for research, said organizer Donna Billy. She is the cousin of the late Harry, who died of breast cancer a year ago after co-organizing the event for five years.
"The response in Squamish was just unreal," said Bill. "It'll open up the doors for next year because that was an awesome turnout."
Billy said the event did more than collect funds for a good cause. For her, it helped mend the hurt from losing a close friend and family member.
"It's a release. It's sort of closure too, for me ... it's like medicine."
The officers were presented with a traditional First Nations salmon dinner to reenergize themselves after cycling 80 km of their trek that day. They were also entertained with Shaker songs and hoop dancing.The officers, many of who are not avid cyclists but trained through the summer, were grateful to rest their legs and meet members of the community.
"Everyone is very receptive to us," said Ridge Meadows RCMP member Aaron Lloyd. "It's an important event to be a part of. Everybody's been affected by cancer in some way."
The youngest in attendance to be touched by cancer was five-year-old Matthew Hansen of Squamish. Once bald from daily chemotherapy treatments, Matthew's full curly locks are now a testament to being a two-year leukemia survivor.
Matthew was presented with an eagle blanket as both an object of comfort and a symbol of his bravery. His mother, Joanie, said events like Cops for Cancer have a lot to do with her son's survival because they help drive research efforts.
"Research is how we got where we are. Kids usually died when they got leukemia," she said.
"If it weren't for all the kids in the past who were researched we wouldn't have been given the choices we were given."
According to Canadian Cancer Society statistics, death rates for childhood cancers have dropped by more than 50 per cent since the 1950s. About 80 per cent of Canadian children with leukemia are alive five years after diagnosis.
The day after the celebration at Totem Hall, Hansen and Matthew traveled to Whistler to meet the officers again. Matthew was presented with an honourary award by Afzeel Yakub, the rider representing the Sea to Sky Corridor. Yakub also announced he raised $14,000 for cancer research.Hansen said she and Matthew are with the event for the long haul.
"We're going to back Cops for Cancer as long as they'll have us. As long as they keep pushing the research."
