Surrey cops ride to fight cancer

Early on Monday morning, the Surrey Police headquarters hosted an opening ceremony for the 19 first responders participating in this year’s Cops for Cancer Tour de Valley. 

Cops for Cancer began in 1994 and is one of the largest fundraisers for childhood cancer research in Canada. Over the decades, the event has raised over $60 million and this not only funds research, but sends kids to Camp Goodtimes — a medically supervised camp operated by the by the Canadian Cancer Society for children and teenagers affected by cancer

At the ceremony, Brooke Sherwood from the Canadian Cancer Society said the camp is “an unforgettable experience … when the kids go there, they’re just kids. The entire camp is set up for them to feel like they belong and that they’re not different. In the midst of their treatment, that isn’t an experience that they get every day.”

“When cancer enters a child’s life, it changes everything for that family, hospital stays, missed milestones, emotional strain, and the distance traveled for treatment … This is more than just raising funds. It’s about providing hope, offering comfort, and standing beside families during their toughest times. Because of this progress, a child diagnosed with cancer today has an 83 per cent survival rate,” said Sherwood. 

Const. Chantelle Biagioni from the Abbotsford Police Department also gave a speech honouring Mavrik Turnbull, who recently passed away from cancer. 

“When I think of Mavrik, I think about a little boy who fought incredibly hard, a little boy who brought us so much strength, so much courage and love into the lives of the people around him,” said Biagioni, who wore a hockey jersey as Turnbull loved the sport. 

“As we begin this year’s Cops for Cancer Tour de Valley, I hope we can carry Mavrik with us in every kilometer, every hill, every mile that feels difficult, because that’s what Maverick did. He kept fighting. So today, we ride for Mavrik.”

Her speech was followed by two officers playing a tribute song for Turnbull on the bagpipes. 

Detective constable Zabrina Braithwaite-Kelso, one of the three SPS officers participating, explained the 600 kilometre, six-day journey would be taking the cyclists through Surrey, Delta, Langley, Abbotsford and Chilliwack. 

On her motivation, Braithwaite-Kelso said she has witnessed members of her family battle cancer as adults, and she cannot imagine a child having to go through such a battle. “My daughter is well, the least I can do is help others.”

Interim Surrey Police Service Chief Const. Todd Matsumoto presented each rider with a challenge coin — the coins are presented to people to recognize an achievement or honour their service and is a common practice within the first responder community. 

“While today marks the official start of the ride, we know the work began long before this morning. The riders have trained, fundraised and prepared for months leading up to this day. That commitment reflects the heart of the event, standing with children and families affected by cancer, while supporting research,” said Matsumoto.