In June 2003, I got the diagnosis that changed my life. I had surgery for testicular cancer, which was followed by careful monitoring. A recurrence led to abdominal surgery in June 2005, and side effects afterward made for a difficult summer, but I was in good enough shape in time to return to Austin, Texas, for my second Ride for the Roses in October. I refuse to let cancer take control of my life!
I am not alone. More than 10 million Americans are currently living with, through or beyond cancer. More than 1.3 million people in the U.S. will be diagnosed with cancer this year alone. I am so fortunate that my cancer type has an extremely high survival rate. As cures are found for more and more cancers, the ranks of cancer survivors will continue to grow.
2006 marks my fourth year working to support the Lance Armstrong Foundation's mission to inspire and empower cancer survivors. Cancer survivor and champion cyclist Lance Armstrong founded the LAF in 1997, to provide practical information and tools for people living with cancer, through advocacy, public health, and research programs.
The Peloton Project has evolved into a series of five LIVE
STRONG Challenge events across the country. In honor of my battle with cancer, and for all of those millions of people in the same fight, I'm participating in the Philadelphia event on September 10, 2006, with a team representing
Cyclists Combating Cancer. I'm going to ride my bike 100 miles, and I hope to raise at least $15,000 for the Lance Armstrong Foundation, which will qualify me to take part in my third Ride for the Roses, on October 15, 2006.
The physical preparation for this event lets me prove that dealing with cancer has only made me stronger, and raising funds and awareness helps me fulfill the "obligation of the cured" to contribute to the cancer community.
Would you please consider making a 2006 sponsorship donation? You can give online, or find out how to donate by mail or phone, at
www.livestrongchallenge.org.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read this message and understanding how important this cause and this Challenge is to me. I'll keep you updated on my fundraising and training progress.
