Big numbers, bigger hearts as Tour de Rock lands in Courtenay
Published 6:14 am Thursday, September 24, 2026
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Often in life, something special loses its novelty quickly when it comes in heaps.
Tour de Rock is not one of those things.
Wednesday (Sept. 23), our team travelled from Campbell River to Courtenay, covering 73 kilometres and bringing the trip total to 413 km. Collectively, the team has helped raise more than $352,000 towards the goal of $1 million.
Those numbers are quite large. But there are community heroes scattered across this Island who do more than their fair share of collecting.
Today, for example, Lynne from the Aspen Co-Op donated $6,500 from fundraising efforts throughout the year, which included hot dog sales, bottle drives, and raffles.
At each stop, whether a school, business, daycare, restaurant, or grocery store, there is a local champion with a cheque waiting to be made out to the Canadian Cancer Society.
Frankly, I think that is a key element to life on the Island. People just want to help.
Of course, with the cheers and celebration comes the hard truth of why everyone works for these funds: trying to make a positive impact on kids and families battling cancer.
On several occasions on tour, people have shared their candid experiences with our team.
In Port Hardy, Olivia, the mom of my honorary rider, Emily, shared a powerful story about the trials and tribulations they withstood throughout her cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Along the highway north of Woss, a mother pulled over to offer her thanks, telling us her son had battled cancer.
A Tour de Rock alumna also shared her heart wrenching story about her honorary rider, Kaiden, who lost his battle with cancer in 2019, but carried himself with a maturity and resilience beyond his years while going through treatment.
Those moments help put in perspective exactly why this ride exists.
Thursday, we continue our quest down the old Island Highway towards Parksville, where I am sure we will experience far more good than bad.
If you’d like to donate to my fundraising efforts, you can visit the Tour de Rock page here.
READ MORE: ‘It would be so much harder on your own’: Tour de Rock reaches Campbell River
North Island communities make a long day on the bike worthwhile
‘A whole new purpose’: Tour de Rock hits the road after Port Alice sendoff