1. Together we will end the stigma of cancer and turn cancer victims into cancer survivors. Millions of people around the world suffer from cancer in isolation, victims not only of the disease but of social stigma. For all too many, a diagnosis of cancer can result in ostracism from colleagues, friends and even family, and cancer becomes a shameful condition that must be hidden. This stigma leads to a lack of early detection, failure to seek treatment and an increase in cancer mortality.

2. Together we will build an international grassroots movement that will take cancer from isolation to collaboration. Research shows increased mortality is often caused by a lack of resources and knowledge related to cancer awareness, screening, prevention, treatment and care. However, a third of cancers could be cured if detected early and treated adequately.

3. Together with world leaders, we will transform cancer from obscurity to priority.  Cancer kills more people than malaria, tuberculosis and AIDS combined. However, many governments devote few resources to fighting cancer and collect little information about its causes and effects. The LAF will work with world leaders to focus on developing international partnerships, cancer advocacy, research and data collection. The Foundation will kick off this effort at the LIVESTRONG Global Cancer Summit in Paris at the end of the 2009 Tour de France

Ride the Tour des Chutes Bend, Oregon

Saturday, July 18, 2009

Ride for yourself | Ride for someone you love

First, I want thank you for your support in the 2008 Tour des Chutes (TdC). We raised $80,000 in 2008. An amazing amount of money from people who care about cancer survivorship and cancer research. Thank you from the TdC, Cancer Survivorship Program at St. Charles and the Lance Armstrong Foundation.

This years TdC will be on July 18. Check our website  www. tourdeschutes.org for more details. The 2009 TdC planning is already under way. The post ride party will be better than ever! More live entertainment, awesome raffle package’s, improved lunch menu and an expanded vendor village. We are also working on a few new courses.

Please check out what our beneficiaries have been up to. The director of the Cancer Survivorship Program at St. Charles, Beth Larsen is doing an amazing job and the Lance Armstrong Foundation continues to help with all of cancers aspects, education, advocacy, research and survivorship. We are proud to be associated with these two organizations.

As I write this letter it is snowing outside. Changing of the seasons. See you all in July.

Livestrong and take care,

Gary Bonacker (founder of the Tour des Chutes)

Read the Lance Armstrong Manifesto