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They came, they rode, they conquered. Twenty-four members of the Cops for Cancer Tour de Rock team cycled from one end of Vancouver Island to the other, from Port Alice to Victoria, a gruelling 14-day ride of 1,100 kilometres that passed through 27 communities. Along the way, they raised more than $1 million for pediatric cancer research and for programs for children with a history of cancer.

The Cops for Cancer campaign started in 1994, when Edmonton police Sgt. Gary Goulet befriended a young boy who had no hair because of cancer treatment. Goulet and seven other officers shaved their heads and posed with the boy for a photo in front of a police cruiser. That was the beginning of the annual fundraising effort in support of the Canadian Cancer Society.

The effort was greatly expanded in 1998 on Vancouver Island when Saanich police officer Martin Pepper suggested a bike ride the length of the Island. He and Penny Durrant of the Victoria police assembled a team of 16 riders and raised $325,000 with the first ride.

Besides raising money, the Tour de Rock team raised spirits as they rode, especially among the Island’s students, as schools are enthusiastic and essential supporters of the annual effort.

A cancer diagnosis can be frightening, but great strides have been made in prevention and treatment. To the science of fighting cancer, campaigns such as the Tour de Rock add an important element in that battle — hope.