Children like Chemainus’ Charlotte Cathro are the inspiration for Tour de Rock riders to cover long distances every year for two weeks at the end of September and into October.
The first responders on the tour are front and centre of the huge fundraising campaign, but it’s the little ones like Cathro behind the scenes who are the real heroes to them.
Cathro was just shy of her third birthday when she was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. She’s now 4 1/2 years old, 18 months into treatment with 11 months to go.
“She receives chemotherapy daily at home and is required to go to VGH once a month for intravenous and intrathecal (into the spinal space in her back) chemotherapy,” reports mom Jayne Hardy Cathro.
“Charlotte is strong and happy and doing as well as her family and care team could hope. As always, her family thanks the community for their unwavering support.”
The tour heads into Chemainus next Monday, Oct. 1, with riders arriving at the Best Western Plus Chemainus Inn at 2:44 p.m. After some down time, they’ll head to Ladysmith at 5 p.m. for the Ladysmith Red Serge Dinner at the Eagles Hall and return to stay the night at the Best Western.
Tuesday, Oct. 2 starts bright and early with breakfast and presentations at the Chemainus Legion Hall at 7:50 a.m. until 9.
Tickets for the breakfast are on sale at 49th Parallel Grocery in Village Square, 49th Parallel General Store on Oak Street and at the Legion lounge. Tickets are $20, with all funds donated to Tour de Rock.
The Canadian Cancer Society’s Cops for Cancer Tour de Rock is the largest supporter of childhood cancer research in Canada. Donations from service clubs and businesses in the Chemainus area are expected to be enormous again.