Archive for July, 2009
by Denise Ellen Rizzo / Sun Post
07.10.09 – 11:42 pm
LATHROP — A group of college-aged bicyclists on a 4,687-mile trip across the nation rode into Lathrop and Manteca on July 2 to promote cancer awareness and prevention.
They were part of the sixth annual Texas 4000 Atlas Ride, which involves 45 cyclists who are riding from Texas to Alaska in 70 days. Their goal is to spread a message of hope, knowledge and charity by speaking to different groups during their trip.
This year’s team raised a record $350,000 for cancer research, which brings their six-year total to more than $1.6 million.
“The money we raise brings us one step closer” to a cure, said rider Joe Weismantel, who was joined by Sarah Coyle, Sheila Bagir, Zaid Hassan and Eric Chen at Big Dan’s Neighborhood Diner. They came to Lathrop to speak to more than 30 residents after they enjoyed a meal at Community Presbyterian Church in Manteca.
While talking about their journey, the riders said they’ve experienced rain, sleet, snow and blistering heat. They traveled through elevations as low as 500 feet to 14,000 feet when they passed through Yosemite, where they saw snow, before entering San Joaquin County, Bagir said.
Comparing the fight against cancer to the daily ups and downs of their ride, Coyle said each morning they dedicate their ride to someone with cancer.
To teach people to remember cancer prevention, they use the acronym TEXAS: T for tobacco free, E for eating right, X for exercise, A for applying sunblock and S for screening and self-examination.
“We’re all college students, and we’re dedicating our bodies and minds to do something and encourage others,” Chen said.
With each rider having a personal cancer story, they listened diligently as members of the Lathrop community gave emotional testimony to their own struggles against the disease.
Ruthie Warren, of Lathrop, wiped away tears as she spoke about her late father’s battle against lung cancer. She said she remembered that he had no idea he was hurting himself and his family when he smoked.
Lathrop’s Dave Colburn also gave an emotional talk when he spoke about the death of his brave grandmother because of breast cancer. He was so touched by the riders’ quest he gave Chen the pink HOPE bracelet that his grandmother wore throughout her battle.
“We all know somebody with cancer,” said Dan MacNeilage, who hosted the event at his restaurant. He spoke about his and his goddaughter Sophia’s survival stories. “We had no idea you would touch our hearts as you did.”
MacNeilage said he has made arrangements to meet the riders when they complete their journey Aug. 14 in Anchorage, Alaska, and he hopes to make the pit stop in Lathrop an annual event.
“People that shared and spoke blew me away,” he said. “That they felt so compelled to do that. The way people openly shared their plight and experiences … they were so inspired.”
Information on the riders’ quest, their daily blogs, and photos with Lathrop residents can be found online at www.Texas4000.org.
• Contact reporter Denise Ellen Rizzo at 239-6351, ext. 304, or denise@sunpost.net.
There is power in an idea. Spread an idea – awareness of an idea – and people’s lives change. Each year awareness bracelets raise over $4 million dollars, funding cancer research and helping people live better lives. Become part of the movement – spread awareness and change the world!
So yesterday I heard about Donna’s “Crappy News” (www.youtube.com/user/Journey2betrhealth )…
I have actually been working on this video, slowly but surely, for the last couple of weeks. A friend of mine just found out she has breast cancer, and is going through treatment right now. Another friend of mine just found out that her battle against breast cancer is not over, like she had thought. So seeing Donna’s video inspired me to FINALLY finish this video…
So this one is dedicated to……
“All of those who have lost the fight, and those who won’t quit the fight.”
Everyone please say some major prayers for Donna and my two friends… That’s what big families are for… and in my opinion, the WLSLosersBench is one big family!
♥Sarah
Song: “Angel” by Enya
Photos: Photobucket
Visit:
http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/
http://www.TheBreastCancerSite.com
http://www.breastcancer.org/
http://www.bcrfcure.org/
♥ PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE… Pass this video on to everyone you know to get the word out!! I have enabled embedding so you can post it to your myspace site or blog or where ever you want… Just get the word out there! Help find a cure! ♥
MUSIC BY ENYA
ALL RIGHT RESERVED.
NO ATTEMPT TO INFRINGE RIGHT IS IMPLIED OR INTENDED.
FAN VIDEO ONLY.
Elizabeth Hurley speaks about breast cancer awareness and the importance of early breast cancer detection.
Lance Armstrong and Nike team up to discuss why Lance has returned to competitive cycling.
If you had the chance, what would you say to cancer? Have a candid look at what a group of LIVESTRONG Challenge participants of all ages and all walks of life had to say to cancer, if given the chance. Without a script, we knew anything could happen; and it did. All of our participants have real cancer connections, making their fight with cancer both real and emotional. Join the fight. www.livestrongchallenge.org
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Livestrong wristband is a yellow silicone wristband (a gel bracelet) launched in May of 2004 as a fund-raising item for the Lance Armstrong Foundation, founded by cyclist and cancer survivor Lance Armstrong. The wristband itself was developed by Nike and their ad agency Wieden+Kennedy.
Contents[hide] |
[edit]Purpose
The band is part of the “Wear Yellow Live Strong” educational program. The program is intended to raise money for cancer research, raise cancer awareness, and encourage people to live life to the fullest. The band sells individually, as well as in packs of 10, 100, and 1,200 as part of an effort to raise $25.1 million for the Lance Armstrong Foundation in cooperation with Nike who manufactures the “live strong” bands in Austin, Texas the home of Lance Armstrong and other world wide manufacturing plants and sells the wristbands through their Nike outlets worldwide. This target was achieved within 6 months, and there have now been 70 million Livestrong bands sold to date. Individual bands sell for US$1 each.
Yellow was chosen for its importance in professional cycling, as it is the color of the yellow jersey worn by the leader of the Tour de France. Other charities were inspired by the success of the Livestrong bracelets, and many charities have developed their own wristbands for raising money and awareness.
[edit]Popularity
The band became an extremely popular item in the United States by the end of the summer of 2004, especially among those following Armstrong’s Tour de France effort. They soon gained immense popularity worldwide. It first appeared on a majority of the contenders at the 2004 Tour de France. Personalities such as 2004 Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry, news anchor Katie Couric, actor Matt Damon, and several athletes at the Athens Olympic Games[1] wore the band. Appearances on and endorsements by popular TV shows such as Oprah, also raised its profile enormously.
On an August 2007 edition of the satirical television show The Colbert Report (where Armstrong made a guest appearance), Stephen Colbert parodied the wristband, creating the “Wriststrong” wristband, in his growing campaign against “Wrist violence”.[1]
In The Office episode “Michael’s Birthday,” Michael creates a makeshift Livestrong wristband out of yellow paper upon finding out that Kevin is at risk for skin cancer.
[edit]Hospitals
Some hospitals have reportedly cut the Livestrong wristbands from patients’ wrists because they resemble the yellow “Do Not Resuscitate” bands used by some medical facilities.[2]
[edit]eBay controversy
A rush to purchase the bands resulted in profiteering through such venues as eBay, angering Armstrong. eBay refused to ban the sale of Livestrong bands, saying it was an online marketplace where buyers and sellers meet and determine their own prices. As a result of the bands becoming fashion items counterfeit wristbands also became available in places such as fleamarkets, detracting from the cause.
[edit]Other similar wristbands
The Livestrong Wristbands have inspired numerous other wristbands for charities, and various political causes. (See gel bracelet.)
Following the Floyd Landis Tour de France incident, The Onion released a spinoff bracelet with the words “Cheat To Win.”
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The Awareness-Raising Wristband