| 06/29/2001 | Lance Armstrong Cancer Awareness Call to ActionTwo-time Tour de France champion and cancer survivor Lance Armstrong today issued a call to action to every
American to "know your cancer risks and get screened" through his national cancer awareness campaign, the Cycle of Hope(TM), just days before he is set to defend his title in the 2001 Tour de France.
Armstrong, who became only the second American (after Greg LeMond) to win the world's most prestigious bicycle race in 1999 -- and then won it again in 2000 -- will compete with the U.S. Postal Service Pro Cycling team starting
next Saturday, July 7. "I feel great," says Armstrong. "You don't win two Tours de France without feeling pretty good and I feel better this year than I have in the two previous years. I feel great; I'm very healthy."
Lance's Race Against Cancer
But whether or not he wins the race, Lance Armstrong will emerge a champion. After all, he has ridden a much tougher course than the grueling 21-day, 2,300-miles of Tour de France. Nearly five years ago Armstrong, at the age of 25, was diagnosed with testicular cancer that had spread to his lungs, abdomen, and brain. "I was scared and confused," he says. "Then I decided to learn as much as I could about the illness and fight for my life."
With surgery, chemotherapy, and the support of his family and friends, Armstrong fought back. He not only recovered, but he continued his world-class competitive bicycling career. Says Lance's wife, Kristin, "Lance really
does attribute his success on the bike to the fact that he was able to overcome cancer and now has the full support of the cancer community."
Creating a Cycle of Hope
After recovering from cancer, Armstrong wanted to give something back. So he teamed up with his non-profit foundation, the Lance Armstrong Foundation, and Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, makers of the medicines that successfully treated his disease, to create the Cycle of Hope campaign. The Cycle of Hope is designed to support early cancer detection; reduce fear associated with cancer; encourage a team approach to treatment, including a medical oncologist; and foster hope in patients and their families fighting the disease.
"I am dedicated to the Cycle of Hope campaign," says Armstrong. "I want to help others break out of their cycle of misunderstanding and fear and empower themselves with knowledge." To help spread the word about the
campaign, the Lance Armstrong Foundation is distributing a national public service announcement made for television and radio encouraging people to call the campaign toll-free number, 1-877-717-HOPE (4673), or visit the
Web site, www.cycleofhope.org, for a free Cycle of Hope information packet. The Cycle of Hope packet contains information that is useful to everyone. For healthy people who want to find out if they are at risk of developing cancer, there is an interactive "wheel" with information about common risk factors and symptoms. For people recently diagnosed with cancer, the packet will serve as a starting point to help them understand their diagnosis and obtain state-of-the-art treatment. The kit also includes tips from Armstrong on coping with the disease. For the millions of people who are caring for a loved one, and who may at times feel overwhelmed, the packet provides supportive care resources and advice.www.cycleofhope.org
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