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Give Today - Change Tomorrow

The Spokesman

Volume 30, Issue 2 February 2002

BIRMINGHAM BICYCLE CLUB

It was only minutes after my doctor told me that I had cancer until I went to the Lance Armstrong website looking for information. I needed some help. I had to find a way to be positive for my family because my dad had died of cancer just three years earlier. I remembered Lance's story catching my interest at the time. It was so good to see someone survive and excel after cancer, compared to the pain we had been through with my dad. I found exactly what I needed. How could you not be inspired by what Lance had done and I didn't even own a bike!

In the days that followed, somewhere between surgery and radiation I got hooked on Lance's website. I even saw this nice yellow Trek bike that was made to celebrate Lance's beating cancer and winning the Tour. I decided that I would just have to get through all this cancer stuff, get that bike and go ride with Lance. As I searched the Lance Armstrong Foundation(LAF) website(laf.org), I read about an event called The Ride For The Roses. Thousands of cyclists riding around Austin, Texas to raise funds and awareness to fight cancer. It seemed like a great way to honor my dad and to continue his battle against cancer, while at the same time celebrating what I was confident I would get through.

Six months after my diagnosis, my wife and strongest supporter, Angie and I both had new Trek bikes, and yes I did end up with the yellow Signature Edition I had seen months before. Our trip to Austin was not far away and we had no idea what an impact it would make on our lives.

It was April 2001, almost exactly a year after I had finished my treatment. Angie and I arrived in Austin for a jam-packed emotional weekend. It was even more emotional than we had expected because my mother had just been diagnosed with breast cancer, so we would now be riding for her as well. I had joined the Lance Armstrong Foundation Peloton Project, which is a way for individuals to raise funds in their own communities to further the goals of the LAF. I had managed to reach a goal, which got us a few extra perks for the weekend. One of which was a private ride (private being about 133 riders) with Lance. We arrived Friday afternoon in time to get ready for the Gala Dinner and Silent Auction. There were different sports memorabilia and a piano bench signed by Elton John. Marco Pantani donated a jersey he signed and many items were donated by other celebrities, and auctioned to raise money for LAF. Harry Smith from the Biography Channel was the emcee for the dinner. He made the mistake of inviting Robin Williams up to the microphone to say something. Thirty minutes later Robin finally sat down, leaving everyone in stitches laughing and the program running late, which nobody minded. Some videos of Lance from the Tour brought loud cheers. Awards given to some outstanding individuals for their work and accomplishments against cancer brought many tears from everyone in the house.

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