LIVESTRONG Day 2006

I had such a fantastic time on LIVESTRONG Day, May 17, 2006, in Washington, D.C. I don't know why it has taken me so long to post anything about it here!

I celebrated my 42nd birthday over dinner with Cyclists Combating Cancer Monday night. On Tuesday, 100 advocates, two from each state, received a full day of training, followed by a Congressional reception at which I was able to shake Lance Armstrong's hand: a real honor. LAF's CEO and President Mitch Stoller, Lance Armstrong, Senator John Kerry, and Representative Clay Shaw each spoke.

On Wednesday, Vanessa Underwood and I met with staff in Senator Judd Gregg's and Senator John Sununu's offices, and I met with Representative Jeb Bradley. We asked for adequate funding for cancer programs in next year's budgets for the National Institute of Health and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and for support of newly (re)introduced Cancer Survivorship and Quality of Life legislation that expands the scope of those cancer programs to include long-term issues facing cancer survivors. Cancer used to be a death sentence more often than not, but that's thankfully getting better. We need to keep making the progress that we know is possible.

See this article for more information.

LIVESTRONG Day 2006

I'm very excited to report that I will be attending the Lance Armstrong Foundation's LIVESTRONG Day event in Washington, D.C. from May 15-17, 2006! Two representatives from each state will receive a day of advocacy training on how to make an impact on Capitol Hill and in our own communities, and then meet with our elected officials and/or their staffs. This will be a great opportunity to raise the visibility of cancer survivorship issues, and I look forward to meeting old and new friends there.

May 15 also happens to be my 42nd birthday. As you'll recall from Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, "42" is the ultimate answer to life, the universe, and everything. Coincidence? I don't think so. :-)

LIVESTRONG Challenge

The LIVESTRONG Ride Series has been relaunched this month as the LIVESTRONG Challenge, expanding to include people who choose to walk or run in addition to those who cycle. I'm still on for the 100-mile Ride!

If cancer has touched your life, please consider a sponsorship donation.

LIVESTRONG Ride Philadelphia

2006 marks my fourth year working to support the Lance Armstrong Foundation's mission to inspire and empower cancer survivors. I'll pedal my road bicycle 100 miles on September 10, 2006, in Philadelphia with a team representing Cyclists Combating Cancer. If I reach my fundraising goal, I will also ride for a third year in Austin, Texas, on October 15!

Net proceeds from this event fund education, advocacy, public health and research programs that help cancer survivors to live strong.