For years now I've seen people wearing those little yellow wrist bands that read "LIVESTRONG" . Until recently the most I knew was that it had to do with Lance Armstrong but I never really understood what it meant or what the whole LIVESTRONG challenge was about.
On August 24th, 2008, I, along with other team mates of Team Heather's Fellowship participated in the Philadelphia LIVESTRONG Challenge. This particular team was established by Heather and her boyfriend Aaron in 2006 when she was diagnosed with cancer. She passed away in 2007 at the very young age of 34.
As we well know, cancer touches nearly every person in some way or another. We walked in memory of Momma Wade, Kathy's mother, who also passed away in 2007 due to cancer. We walked in honor of Bill O'Neal, Will's father who was diagnosed with leukemia and after a long and brave battle beat its butt and has been in remission for 10 years. And we walked in my honor. I was still undergoing my radiation treatments.
Most of the team walked the 5K, however, Aaron, Will and Michael each bicycled 45 miles!!!
The Lance Armstrong Foundation unites people to fight cancer, believing that unity is strength, knowledge is power and attitude is everything. They are helping to make cancer a national , now global priority. They help people diagnosed with and affected by cancer face the challenges and changes that come with cancer.
I've participated in Walks before, specifically the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer, but this was different. The unity of all types cancer survivors and their loved ones was a power that is one to be reckoned with. Hopefully that is what it will take to find a cure.
Don't just live, LIVE STRONG!
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