Darren Karn has been an RCMP officer for two years, working out of the Port Alberni detachment, his first posting after two years in the Canadian Forces as a military policeman. I sat down with him ahead of this year’s Tour de Rock, the Cops for Cancer fundraiser that’s raised $58 million for pediatric cancer research since a single officer started it back in 1994.
Karn had wanted to ride for years. The idea first crossed his radar while he was still in the military, a stage of life that didn’t leave room for it. The moment he landed in Port Alberni, it went straight to the top of his list, and once his probationary period wrapped up, his detachment backed him without hesitation.
Karn’s sister passed away from cancer as a young adult. That’s not the kind of detail that gets volunteered easily, and it wasn’t the first thing Karn led with when the conversation turned to why he rides. It’s just what sits underneath the training rides three days a week since March, the hills and speed work and long weekend distances. He’s paired this year with a junior rider named Ryker, a boy who lost his own sister to the disease.
Karn’s fundraising goal is $5,000. All monies go to Camp Goodtimes.
I’ve covered enough of these Tour de Rock campaigns over the years to know they’ve become part of how Vancouver Island shows up for its kids.
Karn told me the thing he expects to remember most, once it’s over, isn’t the kilometres. It’s the people along the way.
You can support his ride at www.copsforcancer.ca under Team Darren Karn.
Hear the full conversation with Darren Karn on The PULSE Community Podcast at: https://bit.ly/S2EP50PulsePodcast
The PULSE Community website: ThePulseCommunity.ca.
Peter McCully is a multimedia creator and podcast host based in Parksville, BC. https://mccullymedia.ca/category/blog/