Everyone has a reason to ride.

For Steph McFarlane, itB次元官网网址檚 for her close friend, who died of stomach cancer at age 38.

For Andy Harward, itB次元官网网址檚 for his dad, who he lost to lung cancer while he was still a young boy.

For Scott Green and Aaron Murray, both their fathers were recently diagnosed with cancer. MurrayB次元官网网址檚 dad is in remission, while GreenB次元官网网址檚 dad is still undergoing treatment and is doing well.

For Steve Robinson, itB次元官网网址檚 for his family, including his two little girls, after he was diagnosed with testicular cancer two years ago.

The five Saanich police officers participating in this yearB次元官网网址檚 Canadian Cancer Society Cops for Cancer Tour de Rock have all been intimately touched by cancer, and are pushing through their own challenges to do what they can to fight back against the disease.

B次元官网网址淭his is one of the most rewarding things IB次元官网网址檝e ever done in my career,B次元官网网址� Green says, after having barely scratched the surface in the journey to come that is Tour de Rock.

The 22-member team, made up of law enforcement officials from Vancouver Island and three media members, is training for SeptemberB次元官网网址檚 14-day bicycle trek, that will take the team from one tip of Vancouver Island to the other.

Every year the tour generates more than $1 million for pediatric cancer research and Camp Goodtimes in Maple Ridge, a medically supported summer camp for kids with cancer and survivors of the disease.

B次元官网网址淭hey are children, they are innocent and they are pure,B次元官网网址� Robinson says about why he is participating in Tour de Rock. B次元官网网址淭hey donB次元官网网址檛 understand why they canB次元官网网址檛 go outside to play in fear of catching simple colds that could kill them. They donB次元官网网址檛 understand that the countless surgeries and medications that violate their small bodies are an effort to save them,B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淭hey donB次元官网网址檛 understand that they are literally fighting for their lives, when they should be learning, laughing and enjoying them. But we are their protectors, we are their parents, we are their angels who know that childhood cancer is wrong.B次元官网网址�

The riders all say they are most looking forward to meeting the children and families touched by the disease.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 very motivating. It reinforces the need for these types of fundraisers to raise money for pediatric cancer research,B次元官网网址� Green says.

B次元官网网址淚t makes you appreciate life that much more B次元官网网址� and kids are so resilient. ItB次元官网网址檚 amazing how adaptable they are, and what they can endure.B次元官网网址�

McFarlane adds: B次元官网网址淎s a police officer, weB次元官网网址檙e trained to be proactive. This is the best way I can be proactive and try to stop this for other families.B次元官网网址�

The officers are in the midst of training for the physically gruelling challenge of cycling 1,000 kilometres, which McFarlane says is going to help when it comes to dealing with the emotional side of things.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e already had moments where IB次元官网网址檝e met the families of cancer patients, cancer survivors, and the way they look and us makes you realize that what you do is so important to so many people,B次元官网网址� she says.

B次元官网网址淭hey prepare us well for the physical part so we shouldnB次元官网网址檛 be distracted by the emotional part. ThatB次元官网网址檚 going to be just overwhelming.B次元官网网址�