In the past decade, Cops for Cancer has raised more than 10-million dollars. This week's City Hero and his two heirs apparent are spending a couple of days on a Walmart roof to add to that total. It may be the only time you'll catch Constable Bruce Ballingall standing still. 

 Its not easy keeping up with Bruce. He literally charges through life. He says he's always been a high energy guy and that has carried through into his giving back to the community. Bruce says - Being a police officer in a community is a pretty nice style of living and so I always put back, my dad and five brothers were always a team and the community was part of it and that's why we do it-

And he's been doing it for the past 32 years, first with Winnipeg police and for the last 20 with New West. Bruce calls himself more a Peace officer than Police officer. He feels its important that the police be a positive part of the community and develop a respect, something he feels has happened in New West.  Bruce does alot of global policing where he's in other cities and other countries and he doesn't see a lot of police agencies getting the respect that they get in Vancouver. It may happen but theirs is very overt.

Bruce, personally has felt the impact cancer has on a family. He lost his wife, Diane, to cancer 15 years ago and so part of this fundraiser is going to fight breast cancer.

Bruce is quick to share the success with the volunteers who surround him. Retirement is drawing near for Bruce and so he's "grooming" a couple of successors. When asked what happens when he hangs up his badge? Bruce says that he'll keep doing this. Its never gonna stop. As long as he is breathing he'll be doing something for the planet.

Just how dedicated is Bruce to Cops for Cancer. He shouldn't even be out on the Walmart roof. He goes in for open heart surgery on Monday. Bruce, not surprisingly isn't worried. He says he'll be asleep for it.

Friday August 12, 2005

Start your day with the BREAKFAST OF HEROES at Subway. Open at 7AM every weekday. Fresh, hot breakfast to satisfy every leotard-costumed hero.