This year's Cop for Cancer is an all-male event for the Sunshine Coast.
The two police officers, Const. Lance Bonds and Const. Josh Talbot riding to conquer cancer have as their inspiration this year 17-year-old buddy, Mason Gregory.
Talbot, 20, is a rookie in the RCMP. The Sunshine Coast is his first posting; he's been here for about a year and a half. A high school principal in his hometown of Fernie, B.C. was married to a police officer. The corporal allowed the teenager to ride along on a patrol and Talbot was hooked on a law enforcement career.
Talbot's reasons for joining this year's ride are straightforward.
"Cancer has touched three people in my family. Raising money for research for cancer is always huge. And it's getting us (the police officers) out in our new community," he related.
Talbot is looking forward to the ride itself, although some of the hills on the Coast have him in awe.
Bonds on the other hand has been active in the past bike riding. He also runs whenever he gets the chance.
"I have a one-year-old so it's hard to find time these days," Bonds shared.
The one concern he has is a lack of experience with the bikes the two will be riding.
"We just got the bikes in July. It's like cramming for your final exam," Bonds said.
Also a relative newcomer to the police force, Bonds has been here for three-plus years. Prior to joining the Force he was in retail.
And although Bonds has escaped the wrath of cancer in his immediate family, he has a very good friend who had a lung removed. And recently the friend lost family members to the disease.
"As the father of a one-year-old son I would do anything to keep him healthy," Bonds said.
A dip in the Coast's economy this year has both men hoping to raise more than the minimum $6,000 required of each participant. Last year was a huge success. The Sunshine Coast raised more money than any other community. A feat the men would love to repeat this year.
"If we raise between $10,000 and $15,000 each I would be ecstatic," Bonds said.
One of the biggest moneymakers is the annual Red Serge Gala. A fun evening spearheaded by organizer extraordinaire, Catherine Gadsby, the event draws in women of all walks of life and ages to play for a great cause.
"We hope the ladies' night will draw in between $20,000 and $30,000, this would be far and above our expectation in global hard times," Bonds explained.
Buddy Mason is a senior at Elphinstone Senior Secondary. He's an amazing young man whose battle with Hodgkin's Lymphoma has seen him through two bouts of chemotherapy, 20 radiation treatments and a stem-cell transplant. During the transplant Mason was in isolation at Children's Hospital in Vancouver. On a sad note Mason's grandmother, Ruth Gregory, died in a motor vehicle accident during this time.
Through determination, the Roberts Creek lad is now back to his former athletic self.
His mom, Dana Williams, said Mason is back at his track and field pursuits, looking to break records in his running specialty. He also plays soccer and loves mountain biking, according to his mom.
Mason's dad, Dana Gregory (mom's name is pronounced Dana, dad is Dayna) as well as siblings Mackie, 16 and Melissa, 20 are all rooting for Mason's continued good health.
There are several opportunities to give to this important cause.
On Sept. 24 the Rotary Club of the Sunshine Coast is hosting a salmon dinner by donation, you must have a ticket to participate (see ad page A26), the fish is a donation of Grieg Seafoods, the other meal items are from IGA and other sponsors. All proceeds will go to fight cancer.
And donations can be made at www.cancer.ca. Go to the website and follow the prompts. Our area is Greater Vancouver Tour de Coast. The riders will be on the Sunshine Coast Sept. 24 and 25. Take time to welcome and cheer them.
