Hope Rides Again.

Today is Stage 5 of the Amgen Tour of California. Get ready, SoCal, because next Saturday (Pasadena - Stage 7) & Sunday (Escondido - Stage 8), the ATOC comes our way. It started on February 14th in Sacramento and is winding its way down California, ending in Escondido on the 22nd. The final stage will prove to be exciting, as it winds from Rancho Bernardo, over Palomar Mtn (KOM!) and into Escondido. The ATOC is Lance Armstrong's only domestic stop in the global campaign to transform cancer from obscurity to priority. Lance returned to cycling to raise awareness of the global cancer burden, and we will work together at the ATOC to show our support and make cancer a national priority. HOPE RIDES AGAIN.

First off, I would like to thank all of you who have signed up to volunteer with the LAF and the grassroots LIVESTRONG Armies to show your support. I would also like to thank all of you who have donated to LAF in support of Team LIVESTRONG. It is greatly appreciated!
For those of you coming out to the race to support Lance & the global LIVESTRONG campaign on cancer, look for the LIVESTRONG Banner that will be up on the race course (we'd love cancer fighters and survivors to sign it, as it's going global to all the races!). In addition, come visit me and the LAF/LS Army crew at the LIVESTRONG Booth (Finish Line, Lifestyle Expo). If you can't make it, but would like to donate to LAF, please consider donating to Team LIVESTRONG, as we run to raise funds for LAF at the upcoming Boston Marathon this April! http://www.livestrong.org/grassroots2009/juliewboston09 LIVESTRONG!

Pic #1: Starting line (by Giovanna Baldassarre, San Jose LIVESTRONG Army Leader)

Pic #2: Palomar Mtn road sign (by Julie Westcott, San Diego LIVESTRONG Army Leader)

Pic #3: Astana Team Bus (by Giovanna Baldassarre)

Pic #4: LIVESTRONG Mission Booth @ Santa Cruz Stage Finish (by Giovanna Baldassarre)