Mr. Armstrong goes to Washington

Hi All:

Before cancer I was a cyclist and a Lance fan. After cancer, still a cyclist, I've truly come to understand what a hero he really is. Lance carried the hopes and dreams of every cancer survivor when he won his 7 tour titles, the 1st of which was won a mere 3 years after his cancer (stage 4) diagnosis. He was given a less than 10% to live, but live he did, triumphantly, and he showed the world the heart and soul of a cancer survivor and a winner.

Now retired from cycling, Lance is refocusing his energy into cancer cure advocacy. Once again, he's fighting along the side of all of us, against the disease, apathy, and funding cuts.

Below is an article I found from his web site www.thepaceline.com, which talks about a rally in Washington that the LiveStrong group organized in May. There is a picture of the event at http://www.usatoday.com/sports/cycling/2006-05-17-armstong-livestrong_x.htm.

Isn’t it great to have the world’s greatest cancer survivor and athlete on our team?

Ying

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Armstrong takes cancer fight to Capitol Hill
Updated 5/18/2006

By Sal Ruibal, USA TODAY

WASHINGTON This time it really isn't about the bike.

Lance Armstrong and 100 of his best friends swarmed Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, but they weren't riding bikes or racing.

It was LiveStrong Day in the nation's capital, and the Lance Armstrong Foundation brought in two people from each state most of them cancer survivors or caregivers to lobby their congressional representatives for more cancer research funds, with the eventual goal of curing cancer.

At an afternoon rally framed by the U.S. Capitol dome, Armstrong orated like a polished politician, or perhaps a general.

"This is bigger than winning seven Tours," he intoned with his yellow-clad troops phalanxed behind him.

"I have the history, the passion, the time and the army."

Armstrong has been glad-handing politicians with his inspirational message of hope.

At a Tuesday night reception at the Dirksen Senate Office Building, he insisted the cancer battle is a bipartisan effort.

He did criticize the Bush administration for cutting taxes while also cutting the budget for the National Cancer Institute.

"Taking from the poor and giving to the rich has never been a good policy," he told the audience, which included Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., and dozens of congressional staffers.

"We want the hard questions asked," Armstrong said, pointing out that 600,000 Americans die every year from cancer. "And remember, we vote."

Armstrong did bring up cycling when he mentioned he and a friend rode the famous Tour de France stage on L'Alpe d'Huez on Sunday.

"I only did it once," he said. "The days of doing three times (in a row) are long gone."