Thanks for checking out my page! A little bit about me: I live in Austin, Texas with my three kids, and spend most of my time working for my Foundation to raise awareness and funds for the fight against cancer. When I do have free time, I love hanging out at home, spending time with my kids, and having fun. I am also a huge art fan, and I love traveling and collecting new pieces. I do still ride my bike whenever I can, and I have started long-distance running: I will be doing the Chicago and New York marathons this year.
I have had an interesting life so far ... I got into competitive sports at an early age. At 13, I won the Iron Kids Triathlon; during my senior year of high school I started training with the US Olympic Cycling developmental team in Colorado. I knew what I wanted to do, so I set out to make it happen. I rose quickly, won numerous titles, and thought I was on top of the world. That is when everything changed.
On October 2, 1996 I received some devastating news. Tests revealed I had advanced testicular cancer that had spread to my lungs and my brain. My chances for recovery were far less than 50-50. However, I immediately began an aggressive form of chemotherapy, and with the help of a team of doctors, nurses and my close friends and family, I beat it, and now can live to tell my story. It was hell, but I still think it was the best thing that ever happened to me.
It was not an easy road back. I had to re-learn how to live, much less race. But eventually I got back on the bike. My new focus and dedication to my training finally paid off in the form of top-five finishes in the Tour of Spain and the World Championships. In 1999 I was ready for the Tour. I won the prologue stage that summer of 1999, and the rest is history. It was a hell of a ride; I made some lifelong friends and some amazing memories.
But when people ask me what was the most important victory in my life, it was not the Tour de France. Being a cancer survivor will always define me more than any stage or race I have won. And that is why I have dedicated my life to giving cancer survivors a voice, and doing my part for this long, exhausting and seemingly endless war on this horrible disease. I am proud of my Foundation; we have become one of the most influential organizations of its kind. we have raised more than $250M since opening our doors in 1997, with about $40M being spent every year on cancer programs and research.
The war on cancer is one that we should not give up on. We are all affected by this disease, and we can make a difference, by ensuring all Americans have access to care, by taking preventative measures and encouraging others to do the same, and by living healthier lives. It is in that spirit that we recently teamed up with Demand Media to create LIVESTRONG.COM: to empower people to take action daily and make a difference in their overall health.
Thanks for checking it out!
