Const. Warren Kongus of Duncan will be putting pedals to the pavement in the 2024 Tour de Rock to raise money for pediatric cancer research, and said the sky is the limit.
"Riding in Tour de Rock has always been a personal goal of mine," said Kongus. "It is such a great cause and raises so much money for pediatric cancer research and for the kids to attend Camp Goodtimes. Children and cancer are two words that should never be in the same sentence. Hopefully one day through research, we can make these two words never be spoken together again."
Cops for Cancer's Tour de Rock, which had its first ride in 1997, is back in motion for its 27th year as they once again partner up with the Canadian Cancer Society to raise funds for life-saving childhood cancer research and to send then to Camp Goodtimes, which allows children diagnosed with cancer the opportunity to be a kid while spending time together in a stress-free and medically supervised environment.
Emergency service personnel will start pedalling their hearts out for pediatric cancer from Port Alice on Sept. 21 and will finish their tremendous trek in Victoria on Oct. 4. This year's team of riders will consist of 17 law enforcement officers, first responders, and even some media riders from across Vancouver Island.
“This 27th year is just as exciting, and the 2024 team of riders are just as motivated and determined as ever," said Westshore RCMP and steering committee member Constable Cole Brewer in a press release. "All riders past and present will tell you that as challenging and difficult as the training and the 1,200 km ride is, it is insignificant compared to what a child with a cancer diagnosis is going through. This is what motivates all of us, whether you're a supporter or a rider; we all need to do our part and give back. A person never stands so tall, as when they kneel to help a child.”
“The Canadian Cancer Society is excited to welcome this year’s riders and begin the important training phase of Cops for Cancer Tour de Rock that will raise impactful funds,” said Cops for Cancer director Matthew Campbell in a press release. “We know that nothing big gets solved by one person or one organization. To take on childhood cancer, it takes all of us. Together with our first responder partners, generous sponsors and donors across the province, we are changing the future of childhood cancer forever.”
Training for this awesome odyssey of 1,200 km over 14 days began in March. Kongus, who has never been a road cyclist and has only mountain biked for recreation, admitted the training has been rigorous.
"The time commitment is very challenging," said Kongus. "We train three days per week. My family and workplace have been very accommodating allowing me to meet almost all of the training dates."
Kongus has lived in the Cowichan Valley for 41 years. Born in Alberta, he moved to Cobble Hill with his family at the age three. He has been with the RCMP for 12 years. He has now been with the North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP for just over eight years. Kongus has been personally impacted by cancer — he watched his wife Deon battle and beat breast cancer in 2018, and lost his father to liver cancer in 2019, so this event and cause really hits home.
"Tour de Rock is so very important," said Kongus. "It was the first tour of its kind, with the other tours having been born from it. Tour de Rock raises over $1 million annually which is more money than all of the other tours combined."
In Canada alone last year it was estimated that 1,050 children, from newborns to age 14, were diagnosed with cancer. The Canadian Cancer Society has invested $35 million toward the cause over the past decade. This investment has significantly contributed to improved outcomes as the five-year survival rate for childhood cancer has increased from only 71 per cent in the 1980s to 84 per cent. Each year, riders are paired up with child honourary riders. Kyla Hugli is one of the honourary members from 2004 and she is now celebrating 20 years cancer-free.
“The biggest way the Tour De Rock supported me was by taking the biggest interest in listening and understanding how battling childhood cancer affected me and my family," said Hugli in a press release. "Whether it was over a White Spot lunch or a couple minutes visiting a school or at the finales that I attended, each rider would genuinely listen and wanted to get to know me and shared my journey through media outlets and events that brought to light that I had an entire community of people I didn’t even know rooting me from the sidelines and showing their support.”
Kongus has already nearly raised a third of his modest $5,000 goal. Those wanting to contribute can visit his personal Cops for Cancer page.
"I know the riders have already made bonds and lifelong friendships with their honourary riders, Tour de Rock team and trainers," said Kongus. "The journey thus far has been amazing, we can’t wait to head out into all of these towns and communities along the tour, making new friends and lifelong connections."
