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Reflections |
Lance Armstrong,
Cancer survivor/Seven-time Tour de France Champion
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More than a sports hero, Lance Armstrong is an inspiration.
The American Cancer Society estimated that there were 1.4 million new cases of cancer diagnosed last year in America. More than 564,000 people died of cancer in the U.S. in 2006 — approximately 1,500 people a day. Only heart disease claimed more lives.
In October of 1996, Armstrong, then the No. 1 ranked cyclist in the world, was diagnosed with advanced testicular cancer that had spread to his lungs and brain.
Doctors gave him less than a 50/50 chance of survival.
Ten years later, he says it was the best thing that ever happened to him.
Mere months after being diagnosed with cancer, Armstrong created the Lance Armstrong Foundation, dedicated to helping others with their battle against cancer. After overcoming the disease, Armstrong went on to win a record seven consecutive Tour de France championships. More important, he became a symbol of hope for people battling cancer around the world.
Walking the fairways at the Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course in Lake Tahoe, Armstrong, like most celebrities, is often stopped for his autograph. But unlike other celebrities, Armstrong also is handed cash on the golf course — donations people want to hand to the man himself, dedicated to supporting the Lance Armstrong Foundation. In the form of $10, $20 and even $100 bills, Armstrong thanks each person for their support, and hands the money to his personal assistant, whose wad of cash grows throughout the day.
“(Cancer), if not today, very, very soon, will be the No. 1 killer in this country,” Armstrong says. “We need to focus a lot of attention and money and resources and energy on that. But for the first time in 35 years, the budget at the National Cancer Institute has been cut, which is not a great thing.”
GCM has worked with the Lance Armstrong Foundation to establish a grassroots fundraising account with the charity. Readers of GCM and Reflections who are interested in making a donation to the Lance Armstrong Foundation via GCSAA can do so at www.livestrong.org/grassroots/gcsaa. Donations are tax deductible.
— Seth Jones, senior associate editor
"I’m not competitive at golf. But I certainly appreciate the beauty of not just the game, but the beauty of the land and the beauty of the space. I’m one of these guys, for my skill level, to have the opportunity to have played some of the finest courses in Cabo and to have played, for example, at Shadow Creek, back when it was almost impossible to get on, to play L.A. North, or L.A. Country Club, courses like that… for a hack like me, I feel a little bit bad about it. I’ve even been asked to play Augusta National. "But you go to those places, and you realize the design, how beautiful it is, and the level of care (superintendents) put into it… it is special." |
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