Lance Armstrong has come out of retirement this year, racing professionally again to spread the mission of the Lance Armstrong Foundation and to share the vision of hope that a cancer diagnosis is not a death sentence.
This year the LAF is going global, joining with governments and agencies around the world, as we must unite together to take the global issue of cancer head on.
Like Lance, I'm "coming out of retirement" to participate in this year's LIVESTRONG Challenge in Austin, Texas on October 25 to benefit the LAF. Having ridden the Ride for the Roses (as it was formerly called) four years from 2002-2005, I took a break from this event. This year my cousin has been fighting the fight of her life...fighting for her life...so I'm hittin' the the road again, sights set on receiving my yellow survivor rose after pedaling with thousands of other cyclists that Sunday in October.
In February 2009, on the eighth anniversary of my surgery date for breast cancer, my dearest cousin Karen told me that her oncologist now recommends hospice for her Stage IV cancer. She intends to LiveSTRONG for her remaining days, filling them with the people and activities that bring her peace and joy.
It has been eight years since I was diagnosed with breast cancer. It is true that cancer may leave your body, but it never leaves your life.
Please help me honor my own personal battle with cancer as well as the millions of others whom this disease affects, as I ride my bike 45 miles in the 2009 Austin LIVESTRONG Challenge.
Your tax deductible contribution will be one more vital tool in this fight and will go a long way to help meet the needs of millions of Americans.
Dave and I have formed Team Barnestormers for the event. You can donate to me at http://austin09.livestrong.org/bettybarnes and/or to Dave at http://austin09.livestrong.org/davebarnes. Want to donate $10? Why not split it between the two of us?
You may also make a contribution by check. Please visit my site and print a copy of the Offline Donation Form (a link to the form is located directly under the thermometer on my page) and mail your check and donation form to the address on the form. You can also split your donation between the two of us by indicating the split on a single form and writing one check.
Even if you are unable to donate, please visit our pages at the LiveSTRONG site. You can read about us, read the inspirational stories of other survivors, and educate yourself about cancer and the variety of resources available through the LAF.
Thank you in advance for your time and generosity.
Peace, strength, love, and light,
Betty