Thursday, January 17, 2013

Moving Forward with LIVESTRONG

Tonight, this blog goes personal.  I hope you can all respect that I'm writing from my heart as a 3x cancer survivor. I equally respect that we may all have differing opinions, as we wrap our minds around Lance Armstrong's interview today.  

I will speak candidly...I go by what I know...and, it's about more than the bike. LIVESTRONG is bigger than one person. I watch LS volunteer leaders up late at night trying to figure out how to better support cancer patients and families in their local communities. I see countries that had zero pain meds in their borders start providing them to suffering end-stage cancer patients in pain. I see support for cancer survivorship issues, fighting on behalf of patients to get their insurance companies to pay for clinical trials.... ---- people may think that this "doesn't apply to them" but one day it might. And the gap this charity fills is very different than a lot of other charities (equally amazing, but just different focus). There is more to that charity than just one hero (Lance). There are hundreds. Thousands. They will have my support because they had my back when things were tough for me...including Lance. He is a hero to cancer survivors, and nobody can take that "win" against cancer away...EVER.

Am I saddened and frustrated by all this...and a little heartsick? Sure. I'm not perfect either though, and I've chosen not to judge. Today, I lean on what I know... The cancer hero that stayed in my corner (even during the TdF) and the charity that continues to be here to support me through all the complications that survivorship can bring a person. And, withdrawing support from a charity providing unique services to cancer survivors, isn't something Im willing to do. I respect other's opinions, but it hurts the wrong people. In San Diego, where I live (and all around the world), those funds go to grants for important local charities... many that you know and love. How sad if those stop? Thanks for reading today. Regardless of what you may feel today, I know that you are all in the my corner of kicking the Big C to the curb, and for that tonight, I have a lot of gratitude.

CURES ROCK. (Cancer does not.) Onwards in the fight!!

P.S. For those reading, in case you were wondering what the LIVESTRONG Foundation does for people impacted by cancer...www.livestrong.org/wecanhelpIf anyone is in need of these wonderful services, please do not hesitate to call Livestrong at 1 (855) 220-7777. For the official statement from LIVESTRONG tonight: http://blog.livestrong.org/2013/01/17/official-statement-from-the-livestrong-foundation-2/


Lance Armstrong's "Tour de France" Dedication to Julie

A great reminder that I had armies of support beside me in my fight. (Thanks, Lance!) Even with the recent media, this video isn't about the bike...but the fight against cancer. LIVESTRONG!

Stage 2 Dedication: Julie Westcott -- powered by http://www.livestrong.com

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500 Miles. 17 days. 2 States. 1 Mission to Cure Cancer.

500 Miles. 17 days. 2 States. 1 Mission to Cure Cancer.
January 1 - 17, 2010
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