Lance Armstrong, six-time Tour de France winner and testicular cancer survivor, rode into Chicago on Wednesday afternoon to raise awareness about cancer and cancer research at an event cosponsored by Northwestern.
“(Cancer) came along and kicked me in the back and changed me from an average cyclist to an above average cyclist,” said Armstrong.
Mayor Richard Daley introduced Armstrong at the Tour of Hope rally on State Street, part of a nine-day bike tour across the country Armstrong is leading.
“We did a poll last year and asked people what their greatest concern is,” said Armstrong. “Their number one fear is cancer.”
NU, along with the University of Chicago and Bristol-Myers Squibb, a pharmaceuticals company, sponsored the Chicago leg of his tour.
“We have one of the largest (cancer research) programs in the country,” said Steve Rosen, director of NU’s Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center. Armstrong’s ability to raise awareness is unparalleled, Rosen said.
The Lurie Center is one of 40 cancer centers in the nation recognized by the federal government, and the only one in Illinois recognized for its excellence in “patient care, prevention and research,” Rosen said.
Armstrong said Bristol-Myers Squibb invented three drugs that saved his life from testicular cancer.
“Without that I wouldn’t have won one (title),” he said. “I wouldn’t have won six.”
Listeners were encouraged to sign the “promise,” a commitment to become more educated about cancer issues. When the tour is finished, Armstrong will take the signed petitions to Washington, to encourage lawmakers to budget more money for cancer research.
Armstrong was joined on the tour by a handful of other riders selected by the cancer community, including Michael Siegel, a 44-year-old architect who is a two-time leukemia survivor from Wilmette. Siegel spoke about the need for future clinical trial of new drugs.
“Clinical trials took me from a 50/50 survival rate to daily hell to chemotherapy to four little pills a day to me being strong enough to ride my bike across the country,” he said.
To raise funds for cancer research, the Lance Armstrong Foundation began selling yellow wristbands for a dollar each last May. So far, the foundation has sold more than 7 million of the “Live Strong” bracelets.
Many celebrities and even NU students have been spotted wearing the bracelets in support of those diagnosed with cancer.
“My boss over the summer was diagnosed with cancer,” said Jordan Rost, a Communication sophomore. “Also I’m a big fan of Lance Armstrong and I worked at a bike shop.”
Armstrong said his campaign so far has been a success.
“Sometimes it’s hard for me to understand,” he said. “I’ve stood back and certainly been amazed.”
Reach Ashima Singal at [email protected].
