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Trio of Cops for Cancer Tour de Rock events planned for Port Alberni

Cancer Society volunteers work behind the scenes to fundraise for tour
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Tour de Rock riders stop in Port Alberni during the 2017 tour. AV NEWS FILE PHOTO

The Port Alberni chapter of the Canadian Cancer Society may have closed its doors earlier this year, but the Alberni Valley will still be taking part in the annual Cops for Cancer Tour de Rock.

The Canadian Cancer Society in Port Alberni closed its doors in June in order to reduce administrative costs, but the volunteer organization is still involved in the community.

“It’s become more challenging,” admitted volunteer president Bev Frolic. “We’ve always had a location for people to pick up tickets, to coordinate our efforts.”

The Cancer Society has had to cancel its annual Daffodil Bulb Luncheon after 20 years, simply because it has been “too difficult” to coordinate, said Frolic.

“It’s made a few changes,” she added.

But the Cancer Society will still be holding three major fundraising events in August for the upcoming Tour de Rock.

A hot dog sale will take place in Port Alberni at Save On Foods on Friday, Aug. 24 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Save On Foods will be supplying all the food and the barbecue grill.

“All we have to do is supply the people,” said Canadian Cancer Society volunteer Gerry Fagan.

A beer and burger night will take place the following day (Saturday, Aug. 25) at Boston Pizza. Tickets for $25 are available at Boston Pizza, or through Bev Frolic at 250-724-4116. Silent auction items will be available.

The following weekend, on Friday, Aug. 31, the Alberni Golf Club will be holding a nine and dine golf tournament—a nine-hole golf tournament with dinner included, as well as a silent auction and 50/50 raffles. Tour de Rock rider Amanda McRae, representing the west coast and Port Alberni, will be at the tournament to meet with the community.

The golf club held this event for the first time last year, and Fagan said it went over “very well.”

“We’d like to push it to around 60 people this year,” he said.

The price is $22.50 for single members, and $32.50 for single non-members, which includes dinner, golf and prizes.

“The price is very reasonable,” said Fagan.

You can phone the Pro Shop at 250-723-5422 to register or to find more information. The event will be a four-person scramble and open to all skill levels.

“It doesn’t mean they have to be expert golfers,” Frolic laughed.

The Tour de Rock is an annual fundraising event that raises money for pediatric cancer research and support programs as a team of cyclists travels from one end of Vancouver Island to the other. Last year the tour raised around $1 million.

“All the communities are really supportive,” said Frolic. “Local businesses are really good about getting involved. It’s for the kids, so it’s an easy one to get on board with.”

“Cancer touches everybody,” added Fagan.

Although the Cancer Society no longer has an office in Port Alberni, there is a cancer phone line run through the West Coast General Hospital. You can call 250-720-9204 to get in contact with someone from the Canadian Cancer Society.

elena.rardon@albernivalleynews.com



Elena Rardon

About the Author: Elena Rardon

I have worked with the Alberni Valley News since 2016.
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