Ride Supports Kids with Cancer
A Vancouver Police Department officer is riding across Canada to raise awareness and funds for children battling cancer after his teenage daughter was diagnosed and treated for a rare form of cancer.
“Your solo bike ride to raise awareness and funds for children battling cancer is not only admirable, but very brave,” said Chief Myron Demkiw, who was one many people greeting Sergeant Dayne Campbell on the Toronto leg of his journey. “As parents, we certainly all know we would do absolutely anything we can for our children. I know cancer is affecting your family with your daughter’s diagnosis right now in a way that I can relate to, having being diagnosed myself with cancer a number of years ago.”
Demkiw related that his doctors recommended an aggressive treatment.
“While successful, it took a toll physically and mentally,” he said. “I came to appreciate what the support of family and friends means. Your support and determination in helping your daughter is absolutely incredible and we simply want to do our part in contributing to support you and your daughter during this time."
After Sergeant Campbell’s teenage daughter was diagnosed in 2023 with myxoid liposarcoma, a rare form of cancer, he embarked on the unsupported solo and self-funded ride from British Columbia on May 6.
On June 12, he made a brief stop at Toronto Police headquarters.
“The support of my family and friends helped me thorough the toughest times during my treatment. Your support and determination is helping your daughter more than you can know,” Demkiw said. “Myself and the members of the Toronto Police Service, your policing family, are sending their thoughts and prayers for your daughter’s health and recovery and for the strength of your family.”
Campbell has had one rest day, June 11, since he started his journey on the west coast that will take him to Eastern Canada.
“I am trying to do this within a 45 to 60-day window,” he said. “So far, this has wildly exceeded my expectations. The support from my Brothers and Sisters in Blue along the way has been absolutely fantastic. It has also given me the opportunity to speak with them and promote the cause.”
The support, Campbell pointed, out means a lot to his family.
“I started this journey solo with a lot of weight on my bike,” he noted. “Within a short time, I had numerous police officers from various agencies support me along this journey. It has been unbelievable. I was not expecting a lot of this. When this started, my goal was to find some of those agencies across the country that may not have known of Cops for Cancer or the wonderful partnership we have with the Canadian Cancer Society. I was hoping to bang on a few doors, hoping that they would let me in so I could promote the program that way.”
For the last 16 years, Campbell has been a member of the Cops for Cancer program, cycling between 900 and 1,000 kilometres yearly after doing a nine-month campaign as a cancer awareness advocate.
“I enjoyed every single year and the awesome stories of some of the brave children that have journeyed through cancer and some of the successful outcomes they have had,” he said. “I have also shared in some of the heartbreaking stories with some of the families I have got to know over the years. There have been some sad moments along the way, but it has been an absolute honour to be part of this program, representing my brothers and sisters in blue. It is such an important cause.”
Ontario’s Associate Minister of Emergency Preparedness & Response Trevor Jones, a former Police Sergeant, thanked Campbell for his efforts on behalf of the provincial government.
The Toronto Police Association, the Senior Officers Organization and the Toronto Police Service Amateur Athletic Association donated a combined $1,500 to Cops for Cancer to help Campbell reach his goal.
