With roots dating back to 1998, when Tour de Rock first spawned from the Cops for Cancer cycling fundraiser, it’s no surprise recent riders remember school visits.
“I vividly remember the riders coming in and doing a circle of the parking lot,” said Victoria News reporter Tony Trozzo. It started as a fun time – filled with cheers and high fives – simply happy to be outside of his Qualicum elementary school classroom.
As he grew, so did his understanding of the cause.
“As an Island boy it’s been something I’ve always followed.”
As a journalist, Trozzo discovered his opportunity to ride while covering the official unveiling of the 2025 team at St. Margaret’s School in Saanich last spring. This year, Trozzo of Black Press is one of two media riders on the team of first responders set to ride the roughly 1,200 km across Vancouver Island – Port Alice to Victoria – to raise money for children facing cancer.
There are many reasons to ride, but atop the list for Trozzo is dad Frank.
Diagnosed with cancer three years ago, Frank was still working hard, providing for his family. Now 72, he unceremoniously slipped into retirement with no fanfare or send off, but instead tackled his new reality.
The younger Trozzo hopes he holds that work ethic, and takes this opportunity use it wisely.
“I hope I have earned his work ethic,” 27-year-old Tony said. “I can use that to hopefully help one kid who is dealing with something awful.”
The road ahead has few hurdles physically, Trozzo figures. “The gym is my happy place.” And training is well underway for the 14-day ride that sees long hauls some days and hills of all grades. However, he’s never seen that 150-km stretch from Port McNeill to Sayward, but he’s excited to. Growing up in Qualicum and spending much of his life on the Island, the Island north of Campbell River has always intrigued, but to-date eluded him.
The biggest challenge for Trozzo right now though, is stepping into the spotlight and asking for help; to raise funds for an important cause he’s willing to give it a go.
Tour de Rock stops at community events across the Island during the ride, participating in fundraisers and collecting donations along the way. The ride raised $800,000 last year for things like pediatric cancer research and Camp Goodtimes, a, free summer camp for children and teens with a history of cancer, fostering a safe, supportive community. Facing his own family’s journey with cancer, Trozzo finds it hard to fathom what families of children diagnosed with the disease manage. Camp Goodtimes is one of the visits tour riders do ahead of the big fall ride. Trozzo expects it will be eye-opening.
“It’s hard to think someone in your life is going to get cancer,” Trozzo said. “I’m doing it for my pops, but I want this tour to positively help a kid.”
In 2026, an estimated 254,100 people in Canada will be diagnosed with cancer, and 42 per cent of Canadians are expected to be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime, according to the Canadian Cancer Society. Approximately 1,000 to 1,050 Canadian children aged newborn to 14, are diagnosed with cancer each year.
Trozzo truly hopes the tour comes full circle, with a visit to Arrowview Elementary, not far from his childhood home where parents Frank and Mirella still live.
It connects his main drivers – riding for “pops” and the kids – back on home turf.
“I hope I don’t cry every day on the tour. Actually, I don’t care if I cry, that’s life.”
Support Trozzo’s ride at https://shorturl.at/mS4Jk.
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