A Cariboo First Responder is once again answering the call to help raise money for pediatric cancer research.
For the second time Sharleen Bast, a firefighter with the 150 Mile House Volunteer Fire Department will be taking part in the Canadian Cancer Society’s Cops for Cancer Tour De North.
The 7-day ride will begin September 12 leaving from Prince George and ending September 18 in Prince Rupert.
To get prepared for this event Bast said she rides about 4 days a week totalling approximately 150 kilometres per week.
“I did train over the Winter just to try to keep in shape and I feel like that helped. We gradually work on increasing our long ride distances starting at 50 kilometres then up to 120. We have benchmarks we have to make starting at 100 kilometres then 120, then a 140 kilometres to make sure that we’re ready for Tour I’m really looking forward to riding with the team once again and going into the communities and creating awareness for the kids that are going through cancer treatment. Meeting kids and families that have gone through the treatments is really touching.”
When asked about how her fundraising was going so far, Bast said she had raised just over $4,000 and it’s mandatory that we raise $3,000 to go on Tour.
“It cost $2,000 to send a kid to Camp Good Times and this is a medically supported camp where kids that are going though cancer treatment can go and just be kids and have fun and not be the kid with cancer.”
To help raise funds there is a raffle going on right now.
“Just search Cops for Cancer Raffle and you can buy your tickets there,” Bast said, “You could win a Nissan Rogue, a West Jet trip to Victoria, or a Whistler weekend getaway.”
Over the last 5-years, the Canadian Cancer Society has invested $13.3 million in childhood cancer research projects across the country.
This past year 561 unique camp experiences through Camp Goodtimes was provided.
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