Five police officers from the Tri-Cities will be among more than 100 who are gearing up to take part in the Cops for Cancer ride this fall.
Trading their uniforms for spandex and helmets, the 107 officers and emergency personnel clip in and start thousands of kilometres of pedaling on Sept. 17 in the Tour de Coast. The tour takes them from Coquitlam to Vancouver, the Sunshine Coast, Powell River, Whistler, Pemberton and back down through Pitt Meadows, finishing off in Vancouver on Sept. 25.
"I'm really looking forward to visiting all the places we're going on the tour and seeing the communities, the schools and all the people raising money and volunteering their time for a great cause," said Coquitlam RCMP Aux. Const. Hasib Ahmadi, who will be on his first Cops for Cancer ride.
He volunteered for the trek after being inspired by colleagues participating in the annual event.
"And on a personal level, my family and my extended family have been effected by cancer, so I thought what a great way this is to participate and raise awareness."
Already a cyclist, Ahmadi enjoys hitting the road on two wheels to stay in shape and stick to a healthy lifestyle. But since signing up for Cops for Cancer he's had to step up the training regime, logging up to 70 km each week along David Avenue and up Johnson and Lansdowne streets.
"Pretty much anywhere you find a steep hill, you'll find me there," Ahmadi joked. It's tough, but Ahmadi knows he has to challenge himself if he's going to make it to the end of the nearly 1,000-km ride.
Ahmadi will be joined by four fellow Tri-City officers: Coquitlam RCMP Const. Micheal Murray; Port Moody Police constables Jenn Ohashi and Fraser Renard; and Port Mann RCMP Const. Jenna Oliver.
Along the way the riders will visit businesses and schools to raise awareness and funds for pediatric cancer research and support programs, such as Camp Goodtimes, operated by the Canadian Cancer Society.
According to the Canadian Cancer Society cancer is the leading cause of death in children, second only to injury. Many survivors will experience late effects of cancer and cancer treatment.
About 130 B.C. children will be diagnosed with cancer - 24 will not survive.
For more information visit www.copsforcancerbc.ca.
