Take One Idea
Get on Your Bike! came to be when a member of the 2009 Cops for Cancer Tour de Coast team decided to create a fundraising event that would, no matter how cheesey it sounds, focus on the FUN in fundraising. The idea was to involve as many people as possible, create a fun environment, incorporate health and fitness themes, tie in a cycling element, and leave the participants with the warm, tingly feeling that comes from knowing that they’ve made a HUGE difference in the life of a child battling cancer.
Add Some Serious Inspiration
We are asking that each Get on Your Bike! team raise a minimum of $1500 in order to participate in the spin relay. That number was chosen due to its incredible significance in the life of a child with cancer… $1500 is the Canadian Cancer Society’s cost to send one child who is battling or has had cancer to Camp Goodtimes for one week in the summer. That single week at camp has an impact on those kids for which words alone cannot do justice. Camp Goodtimes is an incredibly special place where the kids can go and just be kids. For one week they do crafts, play games, swim, kayak, bunk together, laugh together and simply have fun together… a rarity in the life of a child who has endured more pokes, prods, treatments and hospitalizations than most people can even imagine. For many kids battling cancer, to spend one week at Camp Goodtimes is their greatest wish.
The Canadian Cancer Society’s Camp Goodtimes was established in 1985. Since then it has continued to grow in its mission to serve children with a history of cancer, as well as their families.
An internationally acclaimed and accredited summer recreation program, Camp Goodtimes provides a unique summer experience for children and teens with cancer and their families. Located on beautiful Loon Lake in Maple Ridge, programs operate in July and August every year. Loon Lake offers an incredible natural setting within the University of British Columbia’s Research Forest.
Camp Goodtimes has medical supervision on site and other support. The Camp Goodtimes Program was developed, and is maintained, with the help of the oncology and social work departments of BC Children’s Hospital. Over 300 volunteers annually make our programs possible.
Camp Goodtimes’ mission is to provide a fun-filled, happy, and safe camping experience that lets kids take a break from the reality of their disease and just be kids having fun at camp. Participants experience adventure, take on challenges, form lasting friendships and unforgettable memories. Camp Goodtimes changes lives. Many children and teens become empowered by the time they spend there. Many families are renewed by a week without the stress of coping with cancer. There is never any cost to the families.
The many letters we receive from parents tell us that Camp Goodtimes has been successful far beyond our dreams.
- The Canadian Cancer Society
And Generate Incredible Results
So, we do this for the kids. At the end of those 12 hours in November, each team will have effectively sent one child with cancer to camp. We’ve said it already: $1500 raised + 12hrs of relay spinning per team = fulfilling a courageous child’s dream.
What a way to kick off the Christmas season!
