Stuck on the couch recovering from a kidney infection, Bill Laidlaw found himself glued to the gruelling drama of the Tour de France, cycling’s most prestigious event.
Like many, the RCMP officer was enthralled by the performance last year of U.S. cycling legend and cancer survivor Lance Armstrong, who would go on to finish third that year after coming out of a three-and-a-half-year retirement.
After being laid up for a month, Laidlaw returned to active life with a newfound interest in cycling and a deep appreciation for Armstrong’s mythic determination.
“I guess a bad thing turned into a good thing,” said Laidlaw, 43, a staff sergeant and detachment commander for Rocky Mountain House. “It was really motivating.”
As he read more about Armstrong and his battle to beat testicular cancer, a fight that included chemotherapy and testicular and brain surgery, Laidlaw thought about all of the people he knew who had been touched by cancer, including a close friend who is fighting the disease.
Now, Laidlaw is now within sight of an opportunity to meet Armstrong and provide a boost to cancer fundraising through the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation’s Lance Armstrong event now Aug. 26.
Laidlaw will be joined by up to 44 other Alberta riders, who have each committed to raising $25,000 for the charity. In turn, they will embark on a 100-km ride from Jasper with Armstrong, followed by a team dinner.
In three weeks of fundraising, Laidlaw has lined up about $10,000 and has been grateful for the support the community has shown.
He admits he was nervous when he committed to raising such a big sum. He could picture raising $5,000 with a little help from his friends, but $25,000 was a different matter.
“I thought I’m going to need at least $20,000 from people I don’t know. And I don’t typically like to go asking people for money.
“So to have people step up and come forward is very flattering.”
A pair of local women with real estate company Coldwell Banker and the Rocky Credit Union have come on board to help him raise money. The credit union has organized a barbecue and bake sale for next month.
Laidlaw hopes to have fundraising finished by the end of July so he can concentrate on training and meeting the legendary seven-time Tour de France winner. Armstrong is going for his eighth title in the 97th version of the race that runs July 3 to 25.
“It will be a big moment,” he said. Laidlaw has also stepped in as a police liaison to help with security at the event.
To pledge go to www.cbcf. org
pcowley@www.reddeeradvocate.com