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Local RCMP officer joining Cops for Cancer tour

Const. Lisa Bennett says 800-km race is nothing compared to what kids with cancer face
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Const. Lisa Bennett of the Agassiz RCMP is thrilled to be fundraising for the Cops for Cancer Tour De Valley. Pledges are accepted at the local detachment, and the public will be invited to a fundraising dinner at the Legion on June 2. (Nina Grossman/The Observer)

What would motivate you to bike 800 kilometres in nine days through treacherous B.C. terrain?

Const. Lisa Bennett has wanted to do just that since 2004, when she became a member of the RCMP and learned about the Cops for Cancer Tour de Valley – an 800-kilometre cycle tour that raises money for pediatric cancer and support programs. But at that time, family life and work demands prevented Bennett taking on the race, which comes with an intense training regimen.

Now, the motivated officer is preparing for the race of her life, after her application to participate in the Lower Mainland tour was accepted last week. While nine days of hard cycling might sound terrible to some, Bennett is radiating enthusiasm. When her application was accepted, she was ecstatic.

“I was so excited! I smile ear to ear thinking about it,” she said. “We’re raising money for pediatric cancer. And research for comfort, to help families with accommodations and getting to and from the hospital, and for Camp Good Times.”

Camp Good Times is a Canadian Cancer Society program that provides a medically-supervised camp experience in Maple Ridge for kids with cancer and their families, allowing them to experience fun, adventure and quite simply: childhood.

“Kids shouldn’t have to suffer, they shouldn’t have to be going to hospitals,” Bennett said. “I’d do anything to help make it comfortable for them.”

Since starting in 1997, the Cops for Cancer tour has raised over $42 million for the Canadian Cancer Society and is one of the largest funders of pediatric cancer research in Canada. Every September, at least one hundred dedicated law enforcement and emergency responders from across B.C. cycle through Vancouver Island, Northern B.C., the Coast and the Fraser Valley.

This year, from Sept.13-21, Bennett will join them, trekking northward from Langley to Boston Bar, then south to Tsawwassen and White Rock. The longest day of biking will stretch about 125 kilometres.

Bennett will prepare with rigorous training. She said it’s recommended to train at least three times a week, along with weekly mandated training days.

She isn’t new to biking; Bennett used to ride her bike to work, and even completed a 30-kilometre ride just last weekend. But there’s no doubt that the Cops for Cancer ride will be a whole new challenge.

When asked how she plans to get through the physically and mentally difficult moments of the ride, Bennett said she’ll keep one thought in her mind.

“I’ll think to myself: This is nothing compared to what the kids – or anybody – with cancer is going through,” she said. “I can get through this because this is very minimal compared to what people go through with cancer.”

Support Const. Bennett

On her fundraising page, Bennett mentions loved ones she has lost to cancer, but also lists her mother, uncle and a friend as cancer survivors aided by the Canadian Cancer Society.

Bennett hopes Agassiz and Harrison will be proud to support one of their local RCMP officers as she takes on an incredible challenge – for an incredible cause.

“I don’t know anybody who hasn’t been affected by someone they know having cancer,” she said. “It hits home, pretty much for everybody.”

The public is invited to attend a fundraising dinner at the Agassiz Legion June 2, where local officers in red serge will host and serve attendees. Bennett will also be fundraising during Canada Day celebrations in Harrison with another Chilliwack officer participating in the tour.

Anyone interested in supporting Const. Bennett can also stop in at the Agassiz detachment to make a tax-deductible pledge. Donations can also be made online at the Cops for Cancer 2018 website.