Steve Wright is drawing inspiration from his junior rider.
The West Shore RCMP staff sergeant said the 1,200-kilometre Cops for Cancer Tour de Rock journey, which winds its way through some challenging and undulating terrain, is less daunting when his thoughts go to those battling or having battled cancer.
That includes 12-year-old survivor Joel Dorval, who is assigned to Wright for this yearB次元官网网址檚 Tour.
B次元官网网址�(Joel) has had a terrible start, but that hasnB次元官网网址檛 knocked him down and to me itB次元官网网址檚 very inspirational,B次元官网网址� said Wright, who began the Tour on Monday on the North Island with his teammates and support crew. B次元官网网址淚 canB次元官网网址檛 complain of having a bad day when you think of them and what they have been through. It helps put a face to what we are doing B次元官网网址� It helps keeps us going and focused.B次元官网网址�
Dorval, a student at Journey middle school in Sooke, was diagnosed with lymphoblastic leukemia two weeks after his sixth birthday.
While the youngster isnB次元官网网址檛 riding a bike on the Tour, Wright said junior riders like him play an important role as the riders make their way down island.
B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 in awe of his spirit. He is like any young man with lots of energy in life. My first impression was how incredibly positive Joel and his mother have been enduring this whole process,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淭he glass is always half full instead of half empty. Instead of being depressed, they are very happy to be in remission. IB次元官网网址檓 not sure what the future holds, but it is very uplifting.B次元官网网址�
Dorval endured more than three years of chemotherapy to beat the disease and proudly raised $500 in 2013 for shaving off his Mohawk-styled hair. His mother, Michelle, said JoelB次元官网网址檚 participation in the annual campaign has been a source of pride and growth for him as well.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 been awesome and has contributed to helping him talk about his cancer,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淗e didnB次元官网网址檛 like to talk about it for years, (but) as each year went by he started to talk more. (During an assembly) he actually got up and talked about cancer and losing friends to cancer B次元官网网址� it was something I never thought he would ever do. It has been the Tour de Rock that brings that out in him.B次元官网网址�
Participating in fundraisers such as a recent jail-a-thon that brought in more than $10,000 has been good for her son. Both she and Joel hope to continue their relationship with Cops for Cancer as a way to help them move through this challenging period in their lives.
B次元官网网址淚t is hard (at times) because it brings everything (back) up, but itB次元官网网址檚 wonderful to see what these men and women do, committing to these children who are suffering,B次元官网网址� Michelle said. B次元官网网址淓very year I am amazed at how hard they work and what they do for (children) who deserve everything. ItB次元官网网址檚 not fair what is happening to them.B次元官网网址�
Wright agrees, and said that is exactly what is driving him and the entire 24-member team as they pedal their way down Vancouver Island from now until Oct 3.
B次元官网网址淚t is amazing the spirit they have been able to maintain over this whole process,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 times on the ride when you grind through bad weather and grind the hills, but you think back on these kids and they donB次元官网网址檛 have a choice. The spirit they have keeps you going up those hills.B次元官网网址�
To donate to the Cops for Cancer Tour de Rock, or find more information, visit .
alim@goldstreamgazette.com
