Lance Armstrong

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Title: Lance Armstrong autographed hope chest entitled "La Vie en Jaune".

Rising through the ranks as a world top athlete, Lance was considered the number one cyclist in the summer of 1996, and competed with the U.S. team in the summer Olympic games in Atlanta Georgia. Shockingly, on October 8th of that same year, at the peak of his cycling career, Lance Armstrong made the disturbing announcement that he had been diagnosed with an advanced stage of testicular cancer. The disease had spread to his lungs, abdomen, and brain, so aggressive treatment began immediately. Lance’s treatment lasted three months, during which time he underwent two surgeries: one to remover his cancerous testicle and the other to remove two lesions in his brain. In addition, he had chemotherapy and 3 treatments of Ifosfamide, Etoposide, and Plationol chemotherapy.

Like all those who face a cancer diagnosis, Lance’s life changed forever. With a new outlook on life, Lance was determined to not only ‘get back on the bike,’ but to also use his cancer experience to help others facing the cancer battle. Within months of his own diagnosis, he formed the Lance Armstrong Foundation. Armed with information on his own cancer diagnosis and treatment, he was determined to provide information and hope to other cancer patients and survivors.

Determined to make an historic come-back, Lance entered the 1999 Tour de France competition. His personal strength – both physically and emotionally resulted in him winning the coveted title of that International cycling event. Lance went on to win six more Tour de France titles. While he became a sports celebrity to cycling fans internationally, Lance perhaps more importantly became a ‘cancer hero’ to the millions of individuals fighting cancer world wide. Through his foundation, he became a strong advocate for improved cancer care and education. Currently retired from his professional cycling career, Lance continues to advocate on behalf of cancer patients across the U.S. and around the world. He challenges political candidates to consider their policies on cancer research support, and continues to build awareness that cancer is the number two cause of death of adults, and the leading disease cause of death of children and adolescents.

As cancer survivors, Lance and Naomi both live their lives as summarized by Ralph Waldo Emerson: “Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” They know only too well how important it is to trailblaze and build awareness of the on-going need for cancer research funding. 'Naomi’s Hope for a Cure' is grateful for Lance’s support of this important gala event and his signing of the hope chest entitled "La Vie en Jaune" painted by artist Jean Francois to raise research funds to develop more treatments for our nation’s children with cancer. Thank you Lance!