Police ride for hospice care

PC Bland and S/SBlackman S/Sgt. Chris Blackman and Const. Debbie Bland are avid cyclists who relish using their recreational passion to contribute to charity. They will get the opportunity to enjoy the health- and karma-boosting combination on June 24 when the Toronto Police makes its first appearance in the Healing Cycle Foundation fundraising bike ride in Mississauga. Nearly 60 Service members will take part in the eighth annual event organized by Hospice Palliative Care Ontario (HPCO) to support 10 city hospices. Bland has been riding recreationally for the past eight years. “I used to compete in triathlons, but a serious injury suffered after a car accident nine years ago while I was off duty has affected my ability to run competitively,” said the 10-year officer. “So I am now limited to riding and I really enjoy doing it for charitable events. I like to do events that allow me to combine riding and giving back to the community and charity.” Two uniformed officers from each of the Service’s 17 divisions will ride police bikes between 10 and 50 kilometres on behalf of a local hospice while members of Specialized Operations Command and the Toronto Police Amateur Athletic Association (TPAAA) bike team will ride for HPCO. Blackman will captain the 16-member TPAAA team in the Healing Cycle 160-km Gran Fondo race. “Cycling is a passion for me and to do that and also make a contribution to society means a lot to me,” he said. “In addition, we have an aging population and we will need palliative care – be it for ourselves, family members or friends – at some stage in our lives.” Last year, the Healing Cycle Foundation completed a $1 million pledge for Credit Valley Hospital’s palliative care unit. At a press conference on June 19 at Perram House Hospice to promote the event, HPCO executive director Rick Firth welcomed the Service’s participation. “A few months ago, I approached Chief William Blair with the idea and he fully supported the concept of his organization being part of this initiative,” said Firth. “Hospice in Ontario is still quite unknown and getting the word out and raising the profile are some of the reasons why we approached the police. It will be a great visual presence to have officers in uniforms on their Service bikes showing their support for hospice palliative care in this province.” Toronto Police is the first law enforcement agency to be affiliated with the fundraising ride that raised almost $500,000 last year. 51 Division CRU Supt. Mario Di Tommaso, the 14 Division unit commander, and 51 Division Insp. Gary Meissner attended the press conference. “Members of the Toronto Police Service are also family caregivers who recognize that at some point in their lives, they will likely be caring for suffering loved ones who will be in need of hospice palliative care,” Di Tommaso said. “It was these very services that my family and I relied on during the end-of-life phase of my mother’s final unsuccessful battle with cancer. This support and these services are vitally important to the community that the Toronto Police serves.” The Bike Ride starts and ends at GlaxoSmithKline, 7333 Mississauga Rd. Riders have the option of taking part in 10, 25, 50, 100 and 160-kilometre rides that will be professionally timed. To donate to the TPAAA team, click here.