LIVESTRONG Blog

Make Your Own Mark in France

2009-07-08T17:51:03Z

Nike has always been known for its innovative campaigns and out of the box ideas. This one is no different. Nike unveiled the LIVESTRONG Chalk Bot on the streets of France.

What is a chalk bot?

We have clearance to write on many stages of the Tour. The Nike team is hard at work to get tomorrow’s stages 6 & 7 in Spain.

To send a message, text “LIVESTRONG,” followed by your message, to 36453 from the US or 31001 in France, or send a message online.

LIVESTRONG Wins National Health Information Awards

2009-07-08T17:08:31Z

In May and June 2009, more than 1,000 entries for the 16th annual National Health Information Awards were judged by a panel of health information experts. Gold, Silver , Bronze and Merit certificates were awarded on the basis of judges’ scores.

LIVESTRONG received the following awards:

Subject area: Health Promotion/Disease and Injury Prevention Information
Category: Poster
Award: Gold
LIVESTRONG at SchoolTeaching Guide and Classroom Poster, Grades 3-6

Subject area: Patient Education Information
Category: Radio Ad
Award: Merit
Financial Concerns of Cancer Survivors

Subject area: Patient Education Information
Category: Total Health Information Program
Award: Gold
LIVESTRONG Guidebook

Subject area: Patient Education Information
Category: Video
Award: Merit
LIVESTRONG: A Podcast Series for Young Adults with Cancer

Congrats to our programs team. Thank you for all your hard work. For more information about these programs and others for people affected by cancer, please call us 1-866-673-7205.

Australian Football League Helps in the Fight Against Cancer

2009-07-07T15:15:35Z

In February, Lance and LIVESTRONG went to Australia to unveil our new LIVESTRONG Global Cancer Campaign and to take part in the Tour Down Under. To add more attention to the global campaign, the Carlton Australian Football Club donned yellow for their match this Sunday to raise awareness for people affected by cancer in their country. The team will auction off the guernseys to raise funds for the Peter MacCallum Centre. The Brisbane Broncos Rugby League team also wore yellow and the funds raised will go to the Queensland Cancer Council.

Lance with Brendan Fevola from Carlton FC

FoxSports Australia featured our “Global Commitment” video during the live broadcast of the Carlton AFL game Sunday and during the Brisbane Broncos Rugby League game Saturday morning. Tens of thousands of Carlton game attendees saw the video on the arena jumbo tron.

In February we met with several organizations and leaders in the country, including cancer survivor and Australian Treasurer, Wayne Swan and Kevin Rudd, Australia’s Prime Minister. Mr. Rudd pledged to the public that the government plans to invest a record $2 billion (over 5 years) to build a world-class cancer care system in Australia, including investing in infrastructure at cancer centers, new cancer medicines, and improving cancer care, support and monitoring. We have been so appreciative of his efforts, the efforts of Mr. Swan, members of Parliament and the tireless efforts of the Australian NGO’s. We are with you in the fight against this terrible disease.

We are so excited that the LIVESTRONG Global Cancer message is alive and well in Australia and look forward to working with the wonderful people in Parliament and on the ground more soon.

Why I Ride: An Open Letter

2009-07-06T15:27:42Z

WHY I RIDE
About a year ago, during our LIVESTRONG Summit in Columbus, Ohio, I started thinking about returning to professional cycling. I knew I could compete at the highest level of racing but this time I was motivated from a different perspective.

Meeting so many people over the years…so many survivors…has built in me an ever greater sense of urgency addressing the hurdles in cancer control and, ultimately, telling survivors’ stories. The stories tell it all. The triumphs and challenges are all part of the LIVESTRONG community and the human narrative. That collective, grassroots movement built by all of you has been remarkably powerful for me personally and also powerful in moving cancer back into the consciousness of decision makers.

That energy is why I am riding again: to make cancer a global priority.

A GLOBAL SOCIAL MOVEMENT
Cancer will be the leading cause of death, globally, in 2010. This disease affects 28 million people worldwide. Its projected growth over the next 20 years statistically dwarfs other diseases. In many parts of the world, cancer is considered a death sentence. Survivors are labeled and cruelly stigmatized. With 30 to 40 percent of all cancers being preventable, a shared global strategy that combines prevention and innovation is essential. As LIVESTRONG and our partners continue to build a global social movement, it’s imperative that we tie the strands of all disease control together to be more effective.

We know the numbers. We know various ways to control this disease. We know how to better care for those suffering. We know where triggers exist. Simply put, we know a great deal. What is missing in this equation is a global focus supporting those who are suffering in silence, organizing community action and aggressively developing the most innovative research.

THE SUMMIT AND BEYOND
The purpose of the LIVESTRONG Global Cancer Summit is to draw the eyes of the world to the global cancer burden and also the challenges of stigmatization. Our Dublin Summit and global campaign will provide a platform for telling the stories and highlighting the outstanding work going on around the globe to alleviate the pain and suffering of cancer. Over the last six months, our LIVESTRONG team and I have met with various prime ministers, health and finance ministers, parliamentarians, cancer experts, NGO leaders, advocates and, of course, survivors to see how can we continue to push for fresh investments in cancer control. We have asked leaders all over the world to offer new “commitments” in making cancer a global priority. The response has been tremendous and this same cross-section of leaders – well-known and not so well-known – will all be collaborating in Dublin for two and half days of forward-thinking action.

We will see participation from all five continents, 62 countries, over 300 commitments and an anticipated 500 delegates, joining together in Dublin from August 24th-26th to make cancer a global priority. The growing global network of advocates spurred by this Summit has committed roughly $200 million in fresh investments, just as a start. Government commitments are estimated in the billions. While financial contributions are obviously important, other leaders will be using the Summit to announce significant policy shifts, advocacy campaigns or direct services to survivors. So, the LIVESTRONG Global Cancer Summit is providing the license and platform in which to highlight great advances and collaboration on the next steps for action.

Some examples include:

Jordan:
$300 million for the King Hussein Institute for Biotechnology and Cancer, funding three cancer control initiatives, including creating an Office of Advocacy and Survivorship

Netherlands:
The Dutch Cancer Society will be introducing web-based clinical trials.

China:
The Chinese Anti-Cancer Association is planning to screen 530,000 women per year in 30 provinces

Brazil:
TUCCA (Brain Tumors Assoc. for Children and Adolescents), will be building the first pediatric hospice in Brazil

Australia:
$2 billion in the new Australian government budget for cancer control

LET’S CHANGE THE EQUATION
Building a social movement takes time, focus and ultimately an impassioned, consistent and active chorus of voices for change. LIVESTRONG has become a community for people from all over the world doing just that. While the Dublin Summit and continuing global campaign provide an occasion for elected leaders to tell their stories and exhibit truly innovative practices in combating this disease, it is also about individual advocates, multilateral organizations, NGO’s and community-based leadership all over the world working together. LIVESTRONG can only accomplish progress in partnership with others, collaborating across all sectors on prevention and innovative practices.

It’s so empowering to see individuals all over the world advancing this issue in the most creative ways. It’s also encouraging to see more leaders in power taking innovative steps. LIVESTRONG chooses to lead as a source for inspiration, knowledge and by offering the tools to build this newly emerging global social movement.

What a great reason to ride again.

Thanks for all you do.

Connect with LIVESTRONG During the Tour de France

2009-07-06T15:27:11Z

If you are like me, you probably REALLY want to be at the Tour de France to watch Lance’s return to cycling. Although you and I may not be able to go personally, we can still live vicariously through others. There are MANY ways you can do this. Check out the following opportunities for you to “attend” the Tour de France throughout the month of July without leaving the comfort of your couch and laptop.

Angie and Jerry Kelly on the Champs Elyees for Win #6

Follow The Tour via Fresh Brew:
Long-time LIVESTRONG staffer, Chris Brewer, will be blogging for our sister site LIVESTRONG.com about Team Astana and Lance. Make sure you visit daily for Tour news.

Follow LIVESTRONG happenings via Twitter:
A few LIVESTRONG Staffers are on the ground and will be tweeting and tagging their tweets with #livestrong. Here is a list of staffers to follow:

Doug Ulman, President and CEO of LIVESTRONG @LIVESTRONGCEO

Rae Bazzarre, Public Relations Specialist @raebazzarre

Chris Brewer, Development Services Specialist and Blogger @chrisbrewer62

Allison Wright, LIVESTRONG Senior Partner Relationship Manager, Nike @allisonwright

Phil Hills, Executive Vice President of Development @philhills

Lance Armstrong, Founder and Chairman of LIVESTRONG @lancearmstrong

Lance and Team Celebrating

Watch the Race:
Versus will be covering the Tour. Check with your cable provider for more details

Check out Photos:
Flickr: I am asking folks at the Tour to upload photos to Flickr.com and tag them as LIVESTRONG. Check them out!

Follow our Awesome Blog:
Lastly, I will be reporting information about our LIVESTRONG presence in France on this very blog! Keep us on your “Favorites” and check back daily. We are psyched and ready to go!

My Name is Drew Olanoff and I’m a Geek with Cancer

2009-07-01T17:43:24Z

My name is Drew Olanoff. And I am a geek.

On May 20th, 2009 I became something else. I was diagnosed with Stage 3 Hodgkins Lymphoma. .

I’m now a geek fighting cancer.

Drew Olanoff

Before I was officially diagnosed, I knew something was not right. I discovered a lump on my neck that was growing. Even though I felt fine…it just wasn’t right. I then discovered a lump on my shoulder. These were lymph nodes reacting to my Hodgkins Lymphoma.

I started blaming my undiagnosed cancer on whatever I could. Lost keys, the Phillies losing, my clothes not being dry.

I had just been hired as Director of Community at the mobile startup GOGII and planned on moving to Los Angeles. From my home in San Francisco, I went home to visit family in Philadelphia and on the advice of my mom who is a nurse, I visited my family Dr.

My life changed forever.

I thought to myself….this is it, it’s over. My health, my life, the job, my hopes and dreams. Gone.

I was wrong, I feel like I can now start living.

GOGII told me I was a part of their family, to go beat this thing, and that my place within the company was secure.

My family and friends told me they were behind me 110%.

My Dr’s told me we would beat this thing.

LIVESTRONG reached out to me immediately and offered whatever advice and support they could.

I felt alive and protected, and surrounded by heart.

My friend Mike Demers, a talented engineer whom I worked with in Seattle, had been diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma nearly 2 years ago. He beat it like a champ and we just found out he is 1 year clear. He’s a survivor, and I will be too. He helped take an idea and turn it into what you see today at www.BlameDrewsCancer

The premise is simple, we have to beat cancer into submission once and for all. One way to do that is to stand up against cancer, talk about it…discuss it….not whisper. So with our site, you can send a message to Twitter in the form of “I #BlameDrewsCancer for ___________”

We’ve seen everything from people blaming their cancer on mine, or blaming the fall of the stock market on my cancer. Someone even blamed my cancer for the band Nickelback. It was immediate and intense, and hasn’t stopped.

As of right now, 7,519 people have blamed my cancer for 13,024 things. My goal is to find a sponsor or sponsors who will donate $1 to LIVESTRONG for each unique person who has blamed something on my cancer.

But that’s not all. Mike and I have a lot more in store to raise awareness, help research, and one day cure the thing that took many lives, including my grandmothers.

We will LIVESTRONG together.

I’m happy and proud to be fighting the fight with all of you.
—–
Drew Olanoff
blog: www.drewolanoff.com

It’s About You

2009-06-30T14:15:51Z

Lance is just one person. He can’t fight the global cancer epidemic alone. How will you help? View the series of videos from Lance Mackey, Evan Handler, Patrick Dempsey, Laurel Wassner, and Doug Ulman at YouTube.com/LIVESTRONGArmy, Facebook.com/LIVESTRONG or Nike’s www.wearyellow.com. Get involved in the fight against cancer!

HomeAway.com: Save Our Summer Vacation Contest

2009-07-08T17:17:22Z

Here at the LAF we are fortunate to have both individual supporters and great business partners. While many of you are aware of our great relationships with companies like Nike and Oakley, another great example is our friends at HomeAway, a company that specializes in great apartment vacation rentals, who have provided our staff and contest winners with free places to stay during the upcoming Tour de France. In fact, HomeAway.com’s worldwide reach helped us out in the Giro d’Italia, too. While in Rome for the finale of the Giro, they provided us with a vacation rental to stay in which overlooked the Coliseum

You can stay in this property or another one on their site for free by entering their Save Our Summer Vacation contest. The winner gets a $10,000 trip and two runner-ups get $5,000 trips just for explaining why you need a vacation. They’re also petitioning Congress for a National Vacation Day.

So many thanks to HomeAway for helping us keep our expenses low as we travel for the global campaign! And for those of you wanting to keep up with the Tour happenings, be sure to follow along as Lance and LAF staffer Chris Brewer talk all things Tour at http://www.livestrong.com/lance-armstrong – it’s almost time to ride.

What Does the New Tobacco Law Mean to You and Your Family?

2009-06-26T14:35:10Z

President Obama signed the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act into law on Monday bringing tobacco products under control of the Federal Drug Administration. We are very proud to have been a part of this historic legislation. The law focuses on the marketing of cigarettes to youth. Studies show 90 percent of smokers began on or before their 18th birthday and that tobacco companies deliberately target youth in their advertising. Below are highlights of the new law furnished by the Office of the White House Press Secretary.

Obama Signs the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act

The law bans candy-flavored cigarettes: By October 2009, cigarettes will be prohibited from having candy, fruit, and spice flavors as their characterizing flavors. Examples of these tobacco products include pineapple and coconut-flavored cigarettes made by R.J. Reynolds called “Kauai Kolada” and a citrus-flavored cigarette called “Twista Lime.”

R.J. Reynolds' Flavored Tobacco Products

The Law Requires a Full Disclosure of Ingredients and Additives By January 2010, tobacco manufacturers and importers will submit information to FDA in their possession about ingredients and additives in tobacco products, a description of the nicotine content and delivery, and the health consequences of tobacco products.

Photo Courtesy of Reno County Tobacco Use Prevention Coalition

Youth-Focused Marketing Must Stop By April 2010, FDA will issue the agency’s 1996 regulation aimed at reducing young people’s access to tobacco products and curbing the appeal of tobacco to the young. When the regulation becomes effective, a number of measures will take effect, including:

Tobacco manufacturers may no longer sponsor sporting, athletic, and entertainment events using tobacco product brand names and logos;

Tobacco manufacturers may no longer sell or give away clothing or other items which bear the brand name or logo of a tobacco product; and

Tobacco manufacturers will no longer be able to distribute free samples of cigarettes, and free samples of smokeless tobacco will be allowed only in adult-only facilities.

Cowboy Gear from Marlboro-Items to Buy With Marlboro Miles

Prohibiting Other Marketing Measures Misleading Consumers By July 2010, tobacco manufacturers may no longer use the terms “light,” “low,” and “mild” on tobacco products.

Courtesy of www.cartoonstock.com

New Warning Labels By July 2011, warning labels for cigarettes and smokeless tobacco products will be revised and strengthened. Warnings will comprise the top 50 percent of the front and rear panels of the package. FDA will issue regulations requiring graphics on labels depicting the health risks of smoking.

Canadian Tobacco Warning Label

The Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act of 2009 also provides FDA with regulatory authority to regulate marketing and promotion of tobacco products and set performance standards for tobacco products to protect the public health. It is our hope, and the hope of our legislators, that these changes will make a distinct difference in smoking rates among young people. Thank you to everyone that made this new law a reality.

The Mission Booth: Seattle

2009-06-25T16:09:32Z

What an amazing weekend we had at the LIVESTRONG Challenge in Seattle, WA! Over 600 volunteers from the area showed their support and donated their time and energy to participate in the first ever Seattle LIVESTRONG Challenge. We could not do our work and share the LIVESTRONG message without the support of such dedicated people and we are grateful for their help.

The Mission Booth had a new look and feel this year and we were excited to share LIVESTRONG with everyone in Seattle. Staff, advocates, volunteers and participants were able to engage with LIVESTRONG like never before and share their messages of hope and survivorship. Hundreds of bright yellow note cards were available for stamping with messages like, “In Honor Of”, “In Memory Of”, “Take This Cancer”, “What Would You Say to Cancer?” and “LIVESTRONG means“. Soon the Mission Booth wall was filled with yellow notes, comments, poems and thoughts about LIVESTRONG.

Mission Booth Wall of Hope

One of our LIVESTRONG Leaders, Anita Mitchell, came and volunteered on Saturday and found an instant connection to the participants. Anita is a Stage IV colon cancer survivor who has started her own non-profit organization, Colon Cancer S.T.A.R.S and has become an amazing advocate for colon cancer and LIVESTRONG. She had a conversation with a man and his small daughter who hung a sign that read “In Memory of Mommy”. When Anita asked the man about his wife, he said she had passed away almost a year ago from colon cancer. As the conversation continued, Anita realized that she had spoken to his wife just after her diagnosis and has provided support to her as another colon cancer survivor. They had an amazing conversation about his wife, her illness and how she had lived long enough to see her beautiful daughter turn two. He and his almost three year old daughter came to the event in memory of his wife and to support other cancer survivors like Anita, who is still living with colon cancer and helping others navigate their diagnosis. For Anita, it became an even more meaningful volunteer opportunity and it represents one of the many great conversations we had this weekend, talking with survivors, their loved ones and the community about what LIVESTRONG means to them. We were honored to bring a message of hope to the area and look forward to next year!