I testified today in front of the Texas Senate Committee on Health and Human Services in regards to the bill that Lance posted about last night.  Below is my testimony that I wanted to share with you all.

LIVESTRONG,

Doug

Chairwoman Nelson, thank you for holding this hearing today. I want to thank you for your leadership in the Texas Senate in support of cancer research, prevention, early detection, treatment and survivorship. I would also like to thank the other Members of the Health and Human Services Committee for allowing me to appear before you today.

As the President of the Lance Armstrong Foundation, it is indeed an honor for me to appear before such a distinguished panel to testify on SB 1292.

The Lance Armstrong Foundation is a 501(c)(3) national nonprofit organization based in Austin, Texas. The LAF helps people with cancer focus on living; we believe unity is strength...

I wanted to share with everyone some exciting news today from the Lone Star state.  In a 109-26 vote today, the Texas House of Representatives gave preliminary approval to the passage of a constitutional amendment that would pump $3 billion (over ten years) into high level research.  The goal – ending death and suffering due to cancer.

While all of you who read this are not from Texas, this infusion of money will drive critical research...

I just wanted to share a couple of quick links today.

Discovery Channel has created a page around the "Living with Cancer" special that is worth checking out.

I also read a great story on CNN.com today about a teenager who is using his experience with cancer to affect so many through his blog.

I also saw this story about a 75 year-old cancer survivor who recently completed the trek to the North Pole.  She is one of the oldest, and is believed to be the the first African-American to complete the trek.

LIVESTRONG,

Lance 

Sunday night was a powerful night. It was inspiring to share the stage with two amazing people - Leroy Sievers and Elizabeth Edwards. Both are the embodiment of the word survivor.

It was also powerful to be surrounded by all the members of the audience - from fellow survivors to doctors to nurses - all of them had a story to tell of how they affect this fight. I was struck by how each of them had found their place in this fight and how many separate and distinct organizations they represent.  Without doing much research on it, I would feel safe in saying there are hundreds of organizations and millions of people "fighting cancer" everyday.

A few days ago I read an article in the New York Times about how all of the various anti-war groups in the U.S. have come together to work toward a common goal - ending the war in Iraq.  Whether you agree or not with their focus...

I wanted everyone to know that while Lance has been on vacation this week enjoying himself he will be back to work on Sunday night.

"Living with Cancer" will air on the Discovery Channel At 8 PM ET.   

"Living with Cancer" is the latest edition in the Koppel on Discovery series.  It will feature taped segments with Lance as well as a live town hall meeting at which Koppel and Lance will be joined by Elizabeth Edwards and longtime Koppel producer and friend Leroy Sievers.

This should be a powerful night for all of us and I hope you can find the time to tune in.

LIVESTRONG,

Doug

I just wanted to remind everyone to tune in Wednesday morning for the launch of Athletes for Hope. 

The mission of Athletes for Hope is to educate athletes about philanthropy; connect athletes, charities, companies, and individuals to advance charitable causes; and recognize all that athletes do to help community and charitable causes.  The overall goal is to lead a philanthropic movement to inspire millions of sports fans to get involved or to increase their involvement in supporting charitable causes. 

I am excited to be a part of this with other inspiring athletes like Andre Agassi, Muhammad Ali, Cal Ripken Jr., Tony Hawk, Mia Hamm and many others.  I hope you will tune in to Good Morning America (ABC) and Cold Pizza (ESPN2) on Wednesday to watch the festivities.

LIVESTRONG,

Lance

Before I get to all that is going on this week I want to take a minute to pass along my respects to the family and friends of Rep. Juanita Millender-McDonald, who died Saturday from cancer.  Millender-McDonald was a seven-term Congresswoman from Southern California.  My Thoughts are with her husband, children and extended family.

There is a lot going on this week, both personally as well as with other people.

Tonight on CNN George and Barbara Bush will be on Larry King Live discussing what they are doing in the fight against cancer.

Tuesday I will be in DC meeting with several legislators...

Today President Bush signed a bill to reauthorize the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection program, an initiative that gets free breast and cervical cancer screenings to uninsured and low-income women.  

I commend the leaders in the House and Senate for doing the right thing.  But let’s hold our applause for now.  The reauthorization is a critical first step in saving lives, but it alone does not solve the problem.  That’s because under current funding levels, the program covers one in five eligible women.  You read that right.  Five women need the care.  One will receive it.  

That’s a problem.  We know, and the Institute of Medicine confirms...

I just wanted to post a couple of links to things that people have sent me.

The first is a great cartoon that ran in a lot of papers over the last few days.

The second is a series of photographs (click on the link, choose 2007 winners and then featured photography) which won a Pulitzer prize for featured photography.  It was awarded to Renee C. Byer of the Sacramento Bee for her portrayal of a single mother and her young son as he loses his battle with cancer. 

LIVESTRONG,

Lance

Sorry for not getting more posts up this week.  It has been a busy week. 

We should take a second to reflect on what happened last week.  I had my manager Mark take a picture of me with the Newsweek cover, because we need to celebrate this success.  The cancer discussion finding it's way on to the cover of Newsweek is a huge win in our fight. 

I also wanted to share with you an email that Doug Ulman (President of the LAF) sent to me and a few others last week.

"You ever have one of those moments when you just feel like people are paying attention to something that is so very important to you. That’s what happened when I walked through the airport in Baltimore...

In case you all missed it, here is the link to my Newsweek Live Talk transcript.  Thanks to all of you who submitted questions and watched the chat.

LIVESTRONG,

Lance

Make sure you submit your questions for my Live Talk on the Newsweek website.  The Live Talk will start at 12 PM ET on Wednesday.

LIVESTRONG,

Lance

This past week cancer reared its ugly head again.  With the news on Elizabeth Edwards and Tony Snow cancer was elevated again into the national dialogue.

CBS News, the Washington Post, NY Times and USA Today all devoted time and space to the cancer story.  Most notably for us Newsweek chose to put a symbol on its cover that has become iconic to the millions of Americans living with cancer - a LIVESTRONG wristband.  The issue also includes...

Today started with me heading back to my hometown (Dallas) to give the keynote speech at the Association of Fundraising Professionals National Conference.

The audience was full of people who dedicate their lives to raising money for so many great causes and I was honored to share my story with them.

As I was walking in to the event my blackberry went off. The message - Tony Snow has a recurrence of his cancer. In that moment I was reminded again...

Over the last 24 hours I have watched and read so many great stories about Elizabeth Edwards.  I continue to be inspired by her courage and strength.  Here are a couple of stories I thought worth sharing.

Eugene Robinson has a great piece in the Washington Post.

San Fransisco Chronicle journalist C.W. Nevius shares the perspective of people living with cancer.

LIVESTRONG,

Lance 

Both Elizabeth Edwards and her husband John have become great examples for us today.

In the face of her cancer recurrence, Elizabeth was quoted as saying that "I expect to do next week all the things I did last week. And the week after that, and next year at the same time."

John Edwards went on to add "You can go cower in the corner and hide or you can go out there and stand up for what you believe in. We have no intentions of cowering in the corner."

As Elizabeth and John know, the fact of the matter is that life goes on. As it says in the LAF’s Manifesto: We believe in life. Your life. We believe in living every minute of it with every ounce

As the LAF celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2007, I thought I might highlight some of the ways that we have contributed to the collective "progress". These are simply a few examples. We must do our part. And we are doing just that with the support of so many incredible volunteers, donors, advocates, and staff members.

I am proud to note that we have invested in young researchers...

With LIVESTRONG Day (May 16th) right around the corner, I thought this would be a good time to ask Doug Ulman (President of the LAF) to make a series of posts about the war on cancer: where we are, what the LAF has done and how we plan to move forward.

LIVESTRONG,

Lance

In our collective war with cancer, first waged over 36 years ago by Richard Nixon, we have made great progress.  During this time the number of cancer survivors has tripled.  Diagnostics like the mammogram are widely available

Yesterday LAF President, Doug Ulman, spoke at a kick off event for Kill Cancer.  Kill Cancer is a Texas initiative that would bring $3 billion in cancer-related funds to the state of Texas.  In doing this Texas would position itself as a leader in the fight against cancer, by bringing together the world’s top scientists with the state’s cancer treatment and research institutions to work in on a collaborated effort to deliver cures in our lifetime. The Kill Cancer initiative is a great example of creative thinking about the problem and illustrates the role that state governments can have in this fight.

Doug and LIVESTRONG Survivorship Center of Excellence Network...

“Without Health Benefits, a Good Life Turns Fragile” was the title of a story that ran yesterday in the NY Times.  When you hear me say that “we must address the practical issues that affect people living with cancer”, this is what we are talking about.  In many ways the battle with cancer truly starts when you “leave the hospital”.  Whether it be issues involving insurance, employment issues or any in a range of other financial issues we must do more as a country to address the needs of these people and make their transition back to a normal life easier.

I also wanted to catch you up on a busy weekend....

After talking about tobacco in this space over the last couple of days I have received a few stories from friends that I thought were interesting.

The first is a story about Terry Francona, manager of the Boston Red Sox, and his battle to quit chewing tobacco.  To put the pressure on Francona to quit, Red Sox President Larry Lucchino made a bet with Francona.  The bet, a $20,000 donation to the Jimmy Fund, would be paid by Lucchino if Francona could go the entire season with out chewing tobacco. If Francona fails he will have to make the same donation.  The wager is also inspiring the Red Sox...

About a week ago I wrote in this space about tobacco.  I was coming off the President’s Cancer Panel meeting in Mississippi on tobacco and encouraged about a bipartisan group of congressional leaders reintroducing legislation to require FDA regulation of tobacco. 

Over the last couple of days the debate on tobacco has heated back up.  In reading this story and this story it strikes me that we are not trying hard enough.  Tobacco is killing close to a half million people in the U.S. every year...

I just wanted to take a second to let you all know that I will be a guest on the Conan O'Brien Show tonight (12:30 ET, NBC) so make sure you tune-in.

LIVESTRONG,

Lance

The Tour of California wrapped up yesterday with a big win for Team Discovery and I couldn't be prouder of the guys and all the work they put in.  As always the Paceline has you covered.

Kim Painter in today's USA Today has a story about the decline in women receiving mammograms.  As the title of the article points out that is a step "in the wrong direction."  We all understand how important early detection is to everyone and we must make sure we are all doing our personal duty...

I just wanted to give everyone a quick update.  I was in Phoenix last night giving a speech for my longtime sponsor AMD.  The speech focused on the role technology could play in the health care system.  The rest of this week I will be at the Tour of California cheering on Team Discovery Channel. 

Couple of quick things:

Make sure you tune in to PBS this week for NOW.  Host David Brancaccio will be discussing HPV...

I've been talking a lot about the need for scientific innovation and medical breakthroughs in the fight against cancer.  It has become a more prominent issue lately with the budget cuts at NCI and I think it is a good sign that we are now discussing it.   

There is still so much we don't know about what causes cancer or how to stop it. 

That is not the case with cervical cancer.  We now know that human papillomavirus (HPV) – which causes a sexually transmitted infection that affects at least half of all sexually active men and women – causes most cases of cervical cancer.  An HPV vaccine is now available and recommended by the CDC for girls before they become sexually active.  The vaccine is one of only two that protect against cancer. 

I bring this up today because...

Tobacco opponents got some encouraging news yesterday when a bipartisan group of congressional leaders reintroduced legislation to require FDA regulation of tobacco.

If the bill passes, the FDA will be able to - among other things - use advertising, sales rules and warning labels to encourage kids not to smoke and help adults quit.  Tobacco companies would also have to...

It was a great final day in NYC yesterday.  I had a great meeting with the Mayor of New York, Mike Bloomberg and wrapped up the day with my appearance on the Colbert Report. 

We paid a visit to City Hall and wished the Mayor a happy 65th birthday.  We spent some time discussing,,,

I am going to be running around most of today, so I won't have a chance to post anything later.  I am meeting with Mayor Bloomberg and then will be off to get ready for my appearance on the Colbert Report.   

I also wanted to take a second today to send my condolences to the family of Buddy McAtee.  Buddy lost his battle with cancer on Monday.  I got to know Buddy...

Today I met up with my good friend and LAF Board member, Dr. Harold Freeman.  Dr. Freeman is the President, Founder and Medical Director of the Ralph Lauren Center for Cancer Care and Prevention in Harlem.  His knowledge is unending in the areas of the underserved population and he is considered the leading authority on the relationships between race, poverty, and cancer. 

We spent some time discussing the need for this country....

Over the last few days I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about the President’s FY08 budget proposal and the cuts to cancer funding.   So, I decided to step aside today to lend another voice to the fight – one that is directly impacted.  Margo Michaels is the Executive Director of ENACCT (Education Network to Advance Cancer Clinical Trials), a national partner of the LAF.  Take it home Margo.

In Tuesdays Wall Street Journal, I was reminded about how President Bush’s cuts in research funding will have dire effects for people with cancer.

Any improvement in cancer care...

I was in Jackson, MS today attending the President's Cancer Panel Meeting.  The topic of this series of meetings is on reducing the risk of cancer through promotion of healthy lifestyles.  This meeting focused on Tobacco.  Did you know that tobacco is responsible for over 30% of all cancer deaths?  Think about that - by eliminating tobacco use we could save over 150,000 people a year from dying of cancer in the U.S.

I also submitted an opinion piece to the Jackson Clarion-Ledger.

On to New York.

LIVESTRONG,

Lance

I just wanted to take a second to give everyone a quick update about my plans for next week. 

On Monday I am going to be in Jackson, MS for the President's Cancer Panel Meeting.  The topic for this meeting is Tobacco and Environmental Tobacco Smoke. 

On Tuesday and Wednesday I will be in NYC - meeting with Mayor Bloomberg and a few other people, and then I will be appearing on the Colbert Report (Wednesday, 11:30 ET).  I'll do my best to get some pictures and thoughts up on the blog as I go. 

LIVESTRONG,

Lance

As most of you know I was at Discovery Team Camp over the past couple of weeks and while that led to fewer posts for the blog - it also led to more funds for cancer survivors.  The Team came up with a big idea to help support me in my new job (Chairman of the LAF): The Team Discovery Channel Challenge.  Now, the Team will not only be riding for spots on the podium, they will also be riding to raise money.....

Apparently President Bush has not heard us - so let me repeat.  More than 500,000 Americans will die from cancer this year.  More than 1.4 million Americans will be diagnosed with cancer this year.  Yet, in submitting his FY08 budget proposal to Congress on Monday, the President showed no signs of acknowledging these facts. 

Of the 27 institutes that make up the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the NCI received the largest proposed cut of any - to the tune of $9 million.  The proposed budget also calls for level funding...

I’ve been talking a lot recently about the fight against cancer in the US and all the work that we need to do on that front.  At the same time it is important to remember that this is truly a global battle.  More than 7 million people worldwide will die from cancer this year – which is equivalent to 1 in every 8 deaths.  While the LAF and I continue to stoke the flames here at home we are also proud to be a part of the global community through our membership in the International Union Against Cancer (UICC). 

On February 4, 2007 the UICC will host its second annual World Cancer Day with events around the globe.  The theme for this year’s World Cancer Day is “Today’s Children, Tomorrow’s World” which will focus on a message of prevention geared at parents, health practitioners and policy makers.  The goal is to reduce the cancer risk amongst children.

Learn more about World Cancer Day

Learn more about the UICC

LIVESTRONG,

Lance

It’s a sad day for Texas and our nation.  We mourn the loss of another amazing woman to cancer, Molly Ivins.  Molly will be remembered as a journalist, a teacher, a sister and a friend – but I will always remember her as a cancer survivor.  I know that sounds cliché coming from me, but I was always amazed by her ability to laugh in the face of this disease. 

When battling this disease we never seem to laugh enough.  There is time for tears, time for pain and time for thought – but Molly will always remind us that we need to make time for laughter. 

The Texas Observer has a wonderful tribute to her life. 

LIVESTRONG,

Lance

Sorry for being a little spotty in my posts over the last week.  Team camp has taken up more of my time than I expected.  Maybe I should get back in the saddle – just kidding.

Doug (who hijacked my blog yesterday) sent me a note today from a big supporter of the LAF – it is too good and too mind-boggling not to share.  Here’s her note and make sure you click on the link to the Time Magazine story she references.

I came upon this article from TIME dated March 22,1937.  I am sure you have already read it or know this era of cancer history. This article haunts me in a way:  I can feel the hope of Dr. Little and the sure
impact he and many others felt the formation of the Women's Army would have.  I think they would be appalled at where we stand as a nation

From time-to-time I want to use this blog to give a voice to other people who are in this fight with us and let them talk about topics that are close to their hearts.  Today I want to introduce the President of the Lance Armstrong Foundation and founder of the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults, Doug Ulman.  Doug is a three time cancer survivor, diagnosed for the first time at the age of 19.  He is well aware of the issues, ignorance and insufficient support that the young adult cancer population faces.

I asked Lance for this opportunity today, because of a great article in the NY Times.  The Times did a commendable job exploring a subject that is often ignored, young adults with cancer.  When I was first diagnosed I was a sophomore in college and hearing “you have cancer” from my doctor left me with so many questions.  I thought cancer didn’t happen to people my age...

I've been out at Discovery Team Camp for the last week getting to know all the new riders and catching up with old friends.  During some downtime today I picked up a copy of USA Today and was disappointed to see that President Bush has proposed to cut funding to the National Cancer Institute for a second consecutive year.  In the article - White House spokesman Tony Fratto says, "We're proud of the significant investment that we have made in cancer research.  We're also proud of the results showing that researchers are delivering on that investment." 

While I think we all can agree that we are proud of the results researchers are delivering, that success is reason to REDOUBLE our efforts, not keep the STATUS QUO.

1400 people will die of cancer today and tomorrow and the next day - are we comfortable as a nation telling them the status quo is the best we could do? 

LIVESTRONG,

Lance

With all the attention that cancer has received in the past few weeks – the President’s visit to the National Institutes of Health, the news from the American Cancer Society about declining mortality rates and all the stories sent in response to my article on CNN.com - I tuned into the State of the Union Address (and Democratic response) hoping to hear about our country’s plans for the war on cancer.  Hell, it would have been nice if someone had just said the word cancer for a change.

But again we were left on the sidelines waving our hands in the air and begging the coach to put us in the game.

How long will we have to wait until our elected officials show us that a disease that kills one American, every minute of every day is one of their top priorities?

As a formal response to the State of the Union we sent the following communication to everyone who has signed up for the LAF advocacy e-newsletter.

“This week, President George W. Bush delivered his State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress. While the President mentioned two health insurance initiatives during his address, he did not specifically mention how we as a nation are going to win the war on cancer.”

Read the full response 

Sign up for the LAF advocacy e-newsletter 

LIVESTRONG,

Lance

I’m excited to let you know that registration for the 2007 LIVESTRONG Challenge is open.  In 2006 over $10,000,000 was raised to help support the more than 10 million people living with cancer in the U.S. After much deliberation and hard work by the LAF team we’ve decided to make some tweaks to the 2007 Challenge that we think will make for a truly inspirational event.  Our hope is for a sea of yellow at each event that will let the nation know how serious we are in our battle against cancer.  You can run, ride or walk – and each event will showcase the difference the LIVESTRONG Army is making.

I’m planning to attend each Challenge and I need you to join me. Together we can make a real impact.

2007 Challenge Dates

Philadelphia (August 25-26)

Portland (September 29-30)

Austin (October 12-14).

LIVESTRONG,

Lance

- On Friday, I sat down with Ted Koppel to tape an interview that will be part of a Discovery Channel special on the state of cancer.  The interview will be part of 3 hours of dedicated programming (airing April 29th) on Discovery.  I will also be a part of a live Town Hall segment from Discovery HQ that night, moderated by Ted Koppel. 

- I also did an interview with the USA Today over the weekend.  The article, in today’s paper, gave me an opportunity to talk about how and why the LIVESTRONG Army and I are banding together to make cancer a national priority.

- I recently have been turned on to a blog written by Leroy Sievers (who is featured in the Discovery programming).  Leroy is a journalist who was first diagnosed with colon cancer five years ago. Last December, the cancer returned in the form of a brain tumor, which was successfully removed with surgery. 

- Check out ragbrai.org for a video I shot talking about my involvement last year as well as my announcement to return this year.  Ragbrai, a bike ride across Iowa, is not only one of the coolest things I have ever been a part of, but also gives the LIVESTRONG Army a unique opportunity to bring our message about making cancer a national priority to the people of Iowa.  Iowa will play a large role in putting early pressure on presidential candidates to discuss cancer. 

LIVESTRONG,

Lance

With every minute of 2006 two Americans were diagnosed with cancer and one died.  Think about that!  That is like re-living the horror of 9/11 every two days for the entire year.

As a nation we have become too complacent about this disease (last year, for the first time in 35 years, governmental funding for cancer decreased) and that can no longer be tolerated.

It is time for us as a nation to rise up and beat this disease.  As Chairman of the Lance Armstrong Foundation I will fight to make cancer a national priority.  This is my new Tour de France, but I can not do this alone: I NEED YOU, YOUR LOVED ONES AND FRIENDS TO JOIN ME.

Take a look at a video we shot in Iowa and if you like what we have to say…JOIN ME IN THIS FIGHT!

LIVESTRONG,
Lance

It’s been great to see the coverage that Cancer has received over the last 24 hours.  It was great to see the President and his staff touring the NIH yesterday and talking to all of the great people there.  But as Doug Ulman (President of the LAF) mentions in this article (subscription required) and I talked about in my blog yesterday – we MUST do more.

we MUST recommit ourselves to this fight

we MUST let our elected officials know we care about this issue

we MUST increase funding to places like the NCI and CDC

we MUST take the stuff we know and make it the stuff we do

we MUST win this battle

LIVESTRONG,

Lance

I've gotten a lot of emails about some recently released research showing that cancer deaths dropped for the second straight year (read the story, read Cancer Statistics 2007).  The research conducted by the American Cancer Society shows that there were 3,014 fewer deaths due to cancer from 2003 to 2004 (the most recently available data) than in the previous year.  After reading about the findings and listening to people talk about it on TV and Radio, I can't help but think:  the efforts over the past 30 years have finally yielded a drop in deaths.  that's a great thing.  that’s what we are all working for.  but it's too little.  way too little.  we cannot declare victory today. 

we MUST do more.

The report says we are making the greatest progress against breast, prostate and colorectal cancers…but

we MUST do more. 

The report notes that the federal

I'm in Iowa today giving the keynote speech to the Greater Des Moines Chamber of Commerce.  I'm here to keep the pressure on our politicians.  I'm here to let the people of Iowa know how important this issue is to me and the LIVESTRONG Army.  I'm here to ask for their help.  As the '08 elections swing into full gear the people of Iowa will play a large role in making sure the Presidential hopefuls are talking about this illness and asking them "What is their Cancer Answer"?

We had a great week last week and we need to make sure we keep the pressure on!

Lance

I hope you all had a chance to watch "Saving your Life" this weekend.  Watching that special reminded me what an amazing weekend the LIVESTRONG Summit was.

I'm off to Iowa this week to give a speech to the Greater Des Moines Chamber of Commerce..more on that later this week.

Over the weekend I got away to the Bahamas for a little fun.  While I was there I had a chance to spend some time with Sidney Poitier, one of the classiest and coolest guys I've ever met.  He invited me to go fishing with him and two interesting things happened...

First, Sidney let me know that he is a prostate cancer survivor, so I spent some time telling him what we are up to and hopefully recruiting him to be a voice for the army.  The second was that I caught the largest fish (an Amberjack) I have ever caught.  He gave me a pretty gnarly fight but in the end I won.

Couldn't help but share some pics....

I’m still trying to wrap my head around the unbelievable amount of support the LAF and I have received about my article the other day.  I want all of you to know WE HAVE HEARD YOU.

There is nothing else for me to say that hasn’t already been captured in the words of so many passionate people who took the time to post their responses to cnn.com.

A big thanks goes to Dr. Sanjay Gupta and CNN for giving the millions of Americans battling this disease a voice.

Make sure you watch “Saving Your Life” this weekend (Saturday and Sunday at 8 p.m and 11 p.m. ET on CNN)

Let’s keep the flywheel turning! 

Lance

Over the last 24 hours my head has been spinning...I am blown away by the response to my article on cnn.com

The response to the CNN piece highlights for me that this is not a time to be silent.  I have heard from many people (in response to this article) attached with political campaigns and the ones I have not heard from, I have reached out to.  To all of them I have relayed the same message: We are watching you and you will be held accountable.

When Jim Collins spoke at our LIVESTRONG Summit he talked about his flywheel analogy and how it is like building a movement:

“The process resembles relentlessly pushing a giant, heavy flywheel in one direction. At first, pushing it gets the flywheel to turn once. With consistent effort, it goes two turns, then five, then ten, building increasing momentum until—bang!—the wheel hits the breakthrough point, and the momentum kicks in its favor.”

After yesterday all I have to say is CAN YOU HEAR IT….that’s the sound of the flywheel turning!

I wrote a piece after the '06 elections that cnn.com posted today talking about my impatience with our elected officials.  The problem is cancer is an old problem and we and our elected officials have become complacent and that is no longer acceptable.  In 2006 approximately 1.4 million people were diagnosed with cancer and 560,000 died…so now is not the time for us to be silent about this disease.

Also make sure you tune into CNN this weekend for a special called "Saving Your Life" that Dr. Sanjay Gupta and I taped in Austin, TX during the LIVESTRONG Summit.  It airs at 8 and 11 p.m. ET, on both Saturday and Sunday.

LIVESTRONG,

Lance

Greetings from Austin… 

After retiring from professional cycling most of you probably think that 7 is my favorite number, but today I am realizing how important the number 10 is as well.  You see, a little over 10 years ago I was diagnosed with testicular cancer, and 10 years ago today, after a meeting with several close friends around the dinner table, the Lance Armstrong Foundation was officially created.

When I recall the first board meeting in 1997 as we gathered in my agent and close friend Bill Stapleton's office, who could have dared to imagine we'd be where we are today?  The past ten years have definitely been a time of evolution to say the least.  When we first started out our goal was to help those fighting testicular cancer. We thought we'd put on a good bike ride, donate a few thousand dollars....