Cycling legend Lance Armstrong brought his bike, his philanthropy and his message of inspiration to Rocky View County last week.
The cancer survivor and seven-time Tour de France champion was in the Calgary area on Sept. 8 to lead a fundraising ride, dubbed LINKPINK, in support of the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation (CBCF).
The 60-kilometre ride, the full route of which was kept a secret for security purposes, departed from the Wild Wild West Event Centre near Springbank, chaperoned by four police cars.
“I’m pretty excited to be back here,” Armstrong told the 75 riders before leading them out on the road. “I’m glad the route is less challenging this time.”
“To have the support of a cancer crusader and public figure of this magnitude is truly an honour for the foundation,” said Trish Bronsch, CEO of the CBCF’s Prairies/NWT Region. “We are incredibly thankful for the awareness and funds Lance is once again helping to raise.”
Proceeds from the 2011 LINKPINK event, where riders had to raise a minimum of $7,500, will support the CBCF, the leading national volunteer-based organization dedicated to creating a future without breast cancer.
The foundation works collaboratively to fund, support and advocate for relevant and innovative breast cancer research, meaningful education and awareness programs, early diagnosis and effective treatment, and a positive quality of life for those living with breast cancer.
“I was diagnosed 15 years ago – it’s hard to imagine it’s been that long,” Armstrong said of his testicular cancer. “I just assumed we’d have the problem solved by now. We still have a lot of work to do. We lose an American every minute to this disease. There’s still a big battle ahead of us.”
Armstrong, who turns 40 on Sept. 18, was eager to allow all of the riders a chance to speak with him and ride alongside him for an amount of time. LINKPINK was followed by a dinner event at the Telus Convention Centre in Calgary, where both Armstrong and famed cycling commentator Phil Liggett, who also participated in the ride, spoke to the crowd.
“I think it’s the best day so far in terms of the weather – and there’s no snow,” said Armstrong, who has held several rides in the Calgary area in the past few years.
“It’s nice to see the passion out here in this community. Let’s have a great ride and take it easy on the old man.”
