Police Officers Pedal to Lakeridge Health

On Monday, May 16, a group of local police personnel hopped on their bikes and pedalled to the Durham Region Cancer Centre (DRCC) to say thank you to the DRCC nurses as part of the Pedal for Hope cycling tour in support of paediatric cancer.

Pedal for Hope includes members of the Durham Regional Police Services (DRPS), Peterborough Police Services, Metrolinx, the Ontario Provincial Police, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Each spring, they cycle throughout Central Ontario making stops along the way, while raising money for paediatric cancer research and counselling for families living with a paediatric cancer diagnosis.

Steve Crittenden, a member of the Pedal for Hope team, says they wanted to honour the DRCC nurses for all that they do, especially throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. “The last couple years have been very taxing on the health-care system,” explained Steve. “We wanted to honour the dedication and hard work of the DRCC nurses and say thank you to those who get us through cancer treatments.”

For Steve, this stop hits closer to home.

In late 2014, Steve was diagnosed with stage four cancer and required chemotherapy. He says the nurses at the DRCC played a major role in saving his life and in his recovery. “Although I was scared out of my mind, everyone I encountered at the DRCC was fantastic,” said Steve. “I entered the unknown at the DRCC, but because of the nurses that looked after me and others, it made it so much more bearable.”

Pedal for Hope has raised more than $5 million dollars with the support of local businesses and sponsors over the past 18 years.