REGINA — For two young girls who have already shown more courage than many people will in a lifetime, becoming honorary Commanding Officers with the RCMP was about far more than wearing the famous Red Serge. It was a chance to replace memories of hospitals and treatments with laughter, adventure, and hope.
Twelve-year-old Maya from Spruce Grove and 11-year-old Haley from Edmonton were named honorary Co-Commanding Officers through a partnership between the Alberta RCMP, RCMP Depot Division in Regina, and the Kids with Cancer Society. The annual Dream Experience gives children who have battled cancer an opportunity few people will ever receive, and this year's adventure delivered unforgettable moments from start to finish.
After being officially sworn in at Alberta RCMP Headquarters and signing the Change of Command parchment, the girls immediately stepped into their new leadership roles. They explored specialized police equipment, piloted drones, operated a bomb disposal robot, toured the RCMP helicopter hangar at Edmonton International Airport, and soared above Alberta in an RCMP helicopter before travelling to Depot Division in Regina.
At Depot, the excitement continued with driving simulators, a tour of the emergency response unit, a ride around the driver training track, participation in the Sergeant Major's Parade, and the chance to attend a troop graduation as guests of honour while dressed in the iconic RCMP uniform.
"It was really awesome," Haley said of the experience. Her favourite memory? "Probably going into the police van today and we got to use the robots and the drones to find out what's inside a box, like as if we were on a mission. It was really cool."
For Maya, the helicopter flight became an unforgettable highlight.
"We went to the Saskatchewan River to go see around it," she said. "Once we got there, we landed on a little area and it was very beautiful."
She also found inspiration watching Canada's national police service in action.
"The parade was fun because there was a lot of police officers and everyone there, and it was very exciting because they just show a good example."
Before the trip, Maya had never imagined experiencing anything like it.
"No, never," she said when asked if she ever thought she would do something like this.
By the end of the visit, the experience had even changed how she viewed a future career in policing.
"I used to have an interest in being a police officer," Maya said. "Once I'm here today, it's like I want to, but I also don't want to at the same time."
The biggest reason she could see herself wearing the uniform one day was simple.
"Then I can help people in the world and make a better place."
For Haley, the uniform itself carried special meaning.
"It's really cool," she said. "Because we get to match with the people who wear it."
While the girls were making lifelong memories, their families were creating some of their own.
Maya's father, Chad, described the experience as deeply emotional after watching his daughter battle cancer.
"This is really extraordinary for us," he said. "We feel very grateful that we get this chance to participate."
He said opportunities like this remind families there is still joy after unimaginable hardship.
"Both of our kids have been through a lot," Chad said. "Something like this gives them a little bit more something to look forward to for the future."
The Dream Experience is made possible through the Kids with Cancer Society, an Edmonton-based charity that provides free support, counselling, financial assistance, educational programs, camps, and special experiences for children diagnosed with cancer and their families across northern Alberta and the Northwest Territories.
Family Services Coordinator Bailey Karlstrom said the experience is designed to give children something cancer often steals from them.
"Battling cancer is incredibly difficult for young people," she said. "This is kind of our way to give them a very happy memory and something that they can look at and be like, 'Wow, this is so cool that I got to do this.'"
She said programs like this become even more meaningful because childhood cancer often forces families to miss milestones most people take for granted.
"A cancer diagnosis takes away a lot of opportunities like birthday parties and family vacations," Karlstrom said. "The fact that we can do this for them… it's such a once-in-a-lifetime experience."
For RCMP Depot Division, the visit was every bit as meaningful.
Chief Superintendent and Training Officer Rob Salomao said the children leave a lasting impression on everyone they meet.
"These are kids that went through a cancer journey that no other kid should have to," he said. "They missed a lot of experiences in their lives, so this is just a way to give something back."
But Salomao believes the officers receive something just as valuable in return.
"You look at them and they have hope, they have joy and have inspirations," he said. "They teach us resilience. This just inspires all of us."
As the uniforms are packed away and the adventure comes to an end, Maya and Haley return home with memories that will outlast every helicopter ride, parade, and police demonstration.
Looking back on the extraordinary experience, Maya summed it up in words that perfectly captured why the program exists.
"It was a lot of fun," she said. "We got spoiled. We got stuff that not many kids get to do, and it was just a fun experience to remember for a lifetime."
