Lance Armstrong brings Tour of Hope to Indy
INDIANAPOLIS - Cancer survivor and five-time Tour de France champion
Lance Armstrong will speak to testicular cancer survivors and the general
public on Oct. 16 in Indianapolis as part of the Bristol-Myers Squibb
Tour of Hope™, to increase awareness of the importance of clinical
cancer research.
Twenty-six cyclists will relay ride 3,000 miles from Los Angeles to Washington,
D.C., Oct. 11-18. All of the Tour of Hope cyclists have been touched personally
by cancer. Armstrong, who was treated for advanced testicular cancer at
the IU Cancer Center in 1996, will join them at several points along their
route.
"I am alive thanks to the IU Cancer Center," says Armstrong.
His battle with cancer was detailed in the 2000 book, "It's Not About
the Bike; My Journey Back to Life."
Indianapolis is one of five stops during the tour designed to raise awareness
of the importance of clinical cancer research. The event is free at Conseco
Fieldhouse with doors opening at 9:30 a.m. The program begins at 10:45
a.m. and lasts until noon. Complimentary tickets are required.
All the testicular cancer survivors treated at the IU Cancer Center have
been invited to hear Armstrong. IU is internationally recognized for developing
the cure for testicular cancer in the 1970s when oncologist Lawrence Einhorn,
M.D., and urologist John Donohue, M.D., developed the chemotherapy and
surgical regimen that has saved thousands of men's lives.
In addition to Armstrong's address and a presentation by Dr. Einhorn,
some members of the Tour of Hope Team will speak at the event.
Although Armstrong's career was almost sidelined by his serious illness,
his message in the Bristol-Myers Squibb Tour of Hope will resonate with
all cancer patients, past and present.
"I owe my life to cancer research and all the patients before me,"
he says. "We want to let people know that cancer research is worth
the ride."
Armstrong credits his victory over cancer to those who participated in
cancer clinical trials before he developed the disease.
"Cancer research and clinical trials are key to developing new treatments
for this devastating illness," says Stephen D. Williams, M.D., HH
Gregg Professor and director of the IU Cancer Center. "Lance Armstrong
and the thousands of young men treated annually for testicular cancer
are a perfect example of how clinical trials work to benefit other cancer
patients."
Cancer touches nearly everyone. Three out of four American families will
have at least one family member diagnosed with cancer. The search for
cancer cures continues and hundreds of potential new treatments are waiting
to be studied. However, the search is being slowed because fewer than
five percent of adults participate in cancer research studies.
Seating is limited and complimentary tickets are needed to enter the
Conseco Fieldhouse for the event. Tickets can be obtained online from
noon, Tuesday, Sept. 30, through noon, Friday, Oct.10 at http://iucc.iu.edu/lance.
Only two tickets per person may be ordered.
Health and cycling information will be distributed in the lobby of the
Conseco Fieldhouse from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Also planned are drawings
for a Trek 220 men's bicycle and four autographed copies of Armstrong's
new book "Every Second Counts"
Those unable to attend the event are encouraged to visit www.tourofhope.org
to sign the Cancer Promise, which will help renew America's commitment
to find a cure for cancer in our lifetimes. These will be delivered by
Lance Armstrong and the Tour of Hope Team to Washington, D.C.
The Indianapolis event is sponsored by the IU Cancer Center, IU School
of Medicine, the Pacers Sports & Entertainment, Indiana University
Hospital - Clarian Health Partners and Bristol-Myers Squibb.
# # #
Media Contacts:
Mary Hardin
317-274-7722
mhardin@iupui.edu
Brooke Seitz, Tour of Hope
bseitz@spectrumscience.com
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