Kelowna's Robin Smith had his first personal encounter with the BC Cancer Foundation in 2012 when he heard those three words, "you've got cancer."

In 2014, Smith was introduced to the Tour de Cure, the province's largest cycling fundraiser which started in 2009, to raise funds for BC Cancer research. 

Being an avid cyclist and still in good health while battling Chronic Lymphomatic Lymphoma (CLL), Smith made the decision to ride. 

"I have to give a shout-out to Cyclepath," Smith said. "For many years as I was a solo rider with Team RBC in the Okanagan, I rode on the Cyclepath team."

Smith is now co-captain of the Provincial RBC team consisting of 25 members. 

Over the decade, the cancer fighter has raised over $40,000 personally and has collected over $7,000 for the 2024 ride. 

Smith is confident that the money he has raised has assisted in taking CLL off the critical illness list. BC Cancer reported over 1,300 people were diagnosed in 2021 with non-Hodgkin lymphoma. 

"The money raised, we are able to direct those funds to the cause that we want to focus on. Having toured the BC Cancer facility and seeing the work they're doing and knowing they're working on lymphoma, I do know that the money I'm raising is going towards the work that's been achieved in the last ten years."

The Tour de Cure runs Aug. 24 and 25 with cyclists riding 100 kilometres each day. 

Cyclists start in Cloverdale and ride out to Chilliwack for a celebration on the Saturday night. Cyclists will hit the road again Sunday morning to cycle to Hope. 

"There's cheering stations, people from the community out and waving signs and cheering people on the whole way," Smith said, adding that he loves the spirit and camaraderie of the ride. 

Smith and the Kelowna team set a fundraising goal of $150,000 and have surpassed it ahead of the ride. 

Learn more or donate to the team at .