The Prevent Cancer Foundation Blog » Cycling http://blog.preventcancer.org Information about Foundation events and interests. Fri, 17 May 2013 16:28:15 +0000 en-US hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.5.1 2013 Amgen Tour of California with Breakaway from Cancer is in Full Gear! http://blog.preventcancer.org/2013/2013-amgen-tour-of-california-with-breakaway-from-cancer-is-in-full-gear/ http://blog.preventcancer.org/2013/2013-amgen-tour-of-california-with-breakaway-from-cancer-is-in-full-gear/#comments Wed, 15 May 2013 19:02:39 +0000 Ashley http://blog.preventcancer.org/?p=10470 The California coast has welcomed the 2013 Amgen Tour of California (AToC) with beautiful blue skies and sunshine during the first half of America’s largest cycling event, now in its eighth year. Sixteen prestigious cycling teams from around the globe are competing in a treacherous 750 mile course that climbs almost 60,000 feet and runs from south to north for eight straight days/stages. It certainly has been a pleasure for me to be here at each stage of the race and represent the Prevent Cancer Foundation as part of the Breakaway from Cancer (BFC) team.

Amgen started the BFC 20130514-507sFBinitiative in 2005 to promote awareness of a variety of cancer prevention and survivorship resources. The BFC is comprised of four cancer-related nonprofits, Prevent Cancer Foundation, Cancer Support Community (CSC), Patient Advocate Foundation (PAF) and National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (NCCS). The BFC partners participate in the AToC race each year to distribute valuable resources and information at the Breakaway from Cancer booth and walk with cancer survivors and caregivers as part of the Breakaway Mile marches.

Breakaway Cheryssa&Carolyn (2)

Prevent Cancer Foundation Staff, Cheryssa Jensen & Carolyn Schmidt travel w/ Breakaway from Cancer at the Amgen Tour of California

The AToC kicked off the race with festivities in Escondido, California on Friday, May 10. The day included an excellent gala celebration, a boa constrictor named Ruby from the San Diego Zoo and an introduction to all 16 teams competing in the race. Emcees Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwen, notable commentators for the Tour de France, introduced accomplished riders from around the globe including AToC winners, Tour de France finalists and Olympian medalists.

The first stage of the race began and ended in Escondido on Sunday where the cyclists competed in a 102.6 mile course containing an 11,132-feet elevation gain. The second stage’s course was even longer at 124.3 miles and ended in a steep climb toward the finish line in Palm Springs where it was a hot and dry 106 degrees. The eighth stage concludes the race on Sunday, May 19 in Santa Rosa. Follow this exciting tour at www.amgentourofcalifornia.com or on twitter @AmgenTourofCali or @BreakawayCancer.

Along with the four 20130514-310sFBBFC partners, the Prevent Cancer Foundation will be traveling with the Breakaway from Cancer tent, as part of the Lifestyle Festival, located near the end of each stage. If you’re in California come visit us at the Breakaway from Cancer tent to receive a variety of free resources and fun giveaways like sunglasses, key chains and frisbees! I applaud these amazing athletes and the inspiring cancer survivors who are working as a team to Stop Cancer Before it Starts!

 

]]> http://blog.preventcancer.org/2013/2013-amgen-tour-of-california-with-breakaway-from-cancer-is-in-full-gear/feed/ 0 More Walking and Cycling Are a Must for Good Health http://blog.preventcancer.org/2012/more-walking-and-cycling-are-a-must-for-good-health/ http://blog.preventcancer.org/2012/more-walking-and-cycling-are-a-must-for-good-health/#comments Tue, 04 Dec 2012 18:10:59 +0000 Ashley http://blog.preventcancer.org/?p=8915 The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence in Britain is tackling a major, but often ignored cause of a wide range of health problems: inactivity. Their solution: swap the car for walking and cycling. Public health officials are challenging government agencies to make walking and cycling more accessible, convenient, fun and beneficial for all ages. This proposal comes amid latest figures showing 6 in 10 men and 7 in 10 women are not reaching the recommended levels of physical activity. Public health officials hope to introduce car-free events, improve the safety and accessibility of routes and encourage walking and cycling in schools and workplaces.

Read the Full BBC Article

]]> http://blog.preventcancer.org/2012/more-walking-and-cycling-are-a-must-for-good-health/feed/ 0 Prevent Cancer Attends the 2012 Dempsey Challenge http://blog.preventcancer.org/2012/2012-dempsey-challenge/ http://blog.preventcancer.org/2012/2012-dempsey-challenge/#comments Tue, 23 Oct 2012 15:08:39 +0000 PCF Admin http://blog.preventcancer.org/?p=8518 Prevent Cancer Foundation is a partner in the Breakaway from Cancer campaign, an initiative which brings visibility to the work of four non-profit organizations and the resources we offer to the public.  Together, our services cover the continuum of care from prevention through survivorship to support individuals pre-and-post diagnosis including advocacy, access and care.
As part of this campaign, along with our Breakaway from Cancer partners, the Cancer Support Community, Patient Advocate Foundation, the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship and our sponsor Amgen, we participated in the Dempsey Challenge in Auburn/Lewiston on October 13th and 14th.  The Dempsey Challenge has become an annual event to raise funding for the Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope and Healing at Central Maine Medical Center (CMMC), in Lewiston, ME.

Actor Patrick Dempsey and his sister Mary Dempsey founded the Dempsey Center after their mother was treated for cancer at CMMC.  The mission of the Dempsey Center is to improve the quality of life for individuals, families, and communities impacted by cancer through support, education, integrative medicine, outreach and prevention. The center staff strives to embrace the whole person using a collaborative and holistic approach.  They also outreach into the Auburn/Lewiston community with messages of prevention and risk reduction, often targeting underserved populations.

Prevent Cancer Foundation and Breakaway from Cancer had the opportunity to contribute to the excellent work that the Dempsey Center is doing by providing additional information to attendees about prevention, financial assistance, supportive care and survivorship.  We talked to many of the more than 4,300 participants about the campaign and the resources that our organization provides in advocacy, research, community outreach and education.

Breakaway from Cancer also honored the work of an outstanding survivor and advocate in the community, Kristin Short.  Kristin is a singer/songwriter, mother of three, and two-year breast cancer survivor from Norway, Maine.  She has made a significant impact on the community with her passion for music through performances at several benefit concerts for the Dempsey Center. She also provides a comforting presence to those going through cancer treatment, traveling from Norway to Lewiston offering encouragement to those who have little support.

As always, the community welcomed Breakaway from Cancer and Prevent Cancer Foundation with enthusiasm and interest, sharing with us their own stories of prevention, survivorship, heroism and loss.  Thank you, as always, to the community for welcoming us and supporting the work of our organizations, and to the Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope and Healing for another successful event to raise funding and bring the community together to educate, empower, and celebrate the lives and passion of so many!

]]> http://blog.preventcancer.org/2012/2012-dempsey-challenge/feed/ 0 Amgen Tour Hosting Courageous Rider Jersey Design Contest http://blog.preventcancer.org/2012/amgen-tour-hosting-courageous-rider-jersey-design-contest/ http://blog.preventcancer.org/2012/amgen-tour-hosting-courageous-rider-jersey-design-contest/#comments Wed, 11 Jan 2012 15:14:14 +0000 Jim http://blog.preventcancer.org/?p=6221 Have you ever dreamed of participating in a charity bicycle tour, only to realize that you can’t bike 6 miles, let alone 600? Breakaway from Cancer is allowing people of all ages and physical abilities to participate in its Amgen Tour of California without breaking a sweat by participating in its design contest. Prevent Cancer Foundation is a proud partner in Breakaway from Cancer. Contestants ages 18 and older are invited to submit original designs for Amgen’s Most Courageous Rider Jersey, which is awarded at the end of each day to a cyclist who “best exemplifies the character of those engaged in the fight against cancer – courage, sacrifice, inspiration, determination and perseverance.” The contestant whose design is chosen will win the grand prize package, which includes a trip for the winner and one guest to one Stage of the 2012 Amgen Tour of California, including round trip airfare, hotel accommodations, and two VIP Hospitality passes. The winner will also receive an Amgen Tour of California merchandise package, and will get the chance to present the official jersey to the Most Courageous Rider winner during the awards ceremony! For those interested in entering the contest, further information can be found here. All entries must be submitted by January 31, 2012.

About the Amgen Tour of California

The 7th annual Amgen Tour of California will be held from May 13 – 20, 2012. It is America’s most successful cycling race, and is one of the only road races in the country to be listed as a UCI 2.HC event on the international professional cycling calendar. Hundreds of elite athletes from across the globe gather each year to bring an end to cancer.

About Breakaway from Cancer®

Founded in 2005 by Amgen, Breakaway from Cancer is a national initiative to increase awareness of important resources available to people affected by cancer – from prevention through survivorship. Breakaway from Cancer is a collaboration between Amgen and four nonprofit partner organizations: Prevent Cancer Foundation, Cancer Support Community (formerly known as The Wellness Community), Patient Advocate Foundation, and National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship.

]]> http://blog.preventcancer.org/2012/amgen-tour-hosting-courageous-rider-jersey-design-contest/feed/ 0 On the Road with Breakaway from Cancer and the Amgen Tour of California http://blog.preventcancer.org/2011/on-the-road-with-breakaway-from-cancer-and-the-amgen-tour-of-california/ http://blog.preventcancer.org/2011/on-the-road-with-breakaway-from-cancer-and-the-amgen-tour-of-california/#comments Fri, 20 May 2011 16:15:45 +0000 Jim http://blog.preventcancer.org/?p=4155 Today we began the second half of the Amgen Tour of California (ATOC), travelling with the Breakaway from Cancer campaign and the pro cyclists of the ATOC. Stage 5, Seaside to Paso Robles, is the first sunny day we’ve had since the Tour began Sunday and it was absolutely gorgeous in the heart of California’s wine country.

We’ve celebrated four cancer champions so far this tour, with one more to go on Sunday. They are inspirations to their community and to all of us, and they represent not just themselves but the HUNDREDS of cancer survivors and caregivers that we’ve spoken with in the Breakaway from Cancer booth in the five cities we’ve visited so far. In our Breakaway mile cities, five along this year’s tour route, we are joined by an army of survivors, their loved ones and caregivers, and proudly walk with these men and women in our Breakaway from Cancer mile down the course and across the same finish line that the cyclists cross. It is an honor to be part of this team, with survivors and their loved ones, and with our national non-profit partners that offer expertise and resources to the public.

I had the pleasure of seeing a familiar face today, Lee, and his wife who I first met in Philadelphia two years ago when he visited the Breakaway from Cancer booth. Lee is an avid cyclist, a cancer survivor, and he often uses the resources of Breakaway from Cancer.  Lee is just one example of why we are out on the road, educating the public about the resources that we can offer in the cancer continuum.

I can’t wait to get back out on the road again tomorrow in Solvang. Thanks to all of our cancer champions, our hosts cities, and to everyone that has taken time to talk with us along the way!

]]> http://blog.preventcancer.org/2011/on-the-road-with-breakaway-from-cancer-and-the-amgen-tour-of-california/feed/ 0 Prevention “Cycles” through the Year with Breakaway from Cancer http://blog.preventcancer.org/2010/prevention-cycles-through-the-year-with-breakaway-from-cancer/ http://blog.preventcancer.org/2010/prevention-cycles-through-the-year-with-breakaway-from-cancer/#comments Wed, 15 Dec 2010 18:01:11 +0000 PCF Admin http://blog.preventcancer.org/?p=2565 Another year of Breakaway from Cancer is coming to a close, and 2010 seemed to be bigger and better than the last!

While the campaign and our partners are always available, year around, to provide resources to men and women across the country in cancer prevention through survivorship, we wrapped up our last event of the season in Austin, TX at the LiveStrong Ride. The LiveStrong Ride was the last of four LiveStrong Challenges that we participated in, in addition to the Dempsey Challenge in Lewiston, ME.  Prevent Cancer met hundreds of individuals and gave out hundreds of brochures with information about risk reduction, screening and prevention.

Looking back on the year, Breakaway from Cancer hosted two charity cycling rides to raise money for programs, services and research within our partner organizations. Thousands of men, women and children came out to participate. We then had the pleasure of travelling from Sacramento, CA to Thousand Oaks, CA with the Amgen Tour of California (ATOC,) meeting passionate cancer survivors or individuals with stories of early detection along the way. In four of the ATOC host cities we honored cancer survivors with our Breakaway Champion award – the words courageous and inspirational only begin to describe these men and women.

Just two weeks later, Breakaway from Cancer hosted our first policy roundtable discussion called “Striking the Balance.” This panel of experts identified unmet needs of focus within health policy and how to address them. The podcast can be accessed at the Prevent Cancer website or at the Breakaway from Cancer. 

Also over the summer we brought Breakaway from Cancer to Capitol Hill. We were joined by Members of Congress and staff at this event which highlighted campaign resources for Members and staff directing their constituents in need of information and assistance to the campaign and its partners.

Prevent Cancer and our partners the Cancer Support Community, the Patient Advocate Foundation, the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship and sponsor, Amgen, are looking forward to 2011. Stay tuned for updates on an expanded website, more in our Striking the Balance Stories, and many opportunities to become involved!

]]> http://blog.preventcancer.org/2010/prevention-cycles-through-the-year-with-breakaway-from-cancer/feed/ 0 Breakaway Wrap-up: An Awesome Finale http://blog.preventcancer.org/2010/breakaway-wrap-up-an-awesome-finale/ http://blog.preventcancer.org/2010/breakaway-wrap-up-an-awesome-finale/#comments Fri, 28 May 2010 16:16:05 +0000 PCF Admin http://blog.preventcancer.org/?p=385 Katie and I are back in the office, both exhausted and exhilarated from our time on the road with the Amgen Tour of California (ATOC) and the Breakaway from Cancer campaign.

The last three days of the tour were spent in amazing cities.  Big Bear Lake, Los Angeles, and Thousand Oaks.  I rode in a caravan with the riders from Palmdale to Big Bear Lake.  The course was breathtaking: it was all mountains, and the cyclists put all they had into that ride.  It is fitting that the most courageous rider jersey was awarded that day to George Hincapie, our Breakaway from Cancer spokesperson.

In Los Angeles, the Staples Center towered over the time trial course.  And while Katie followed the riders on the course, several hundred men and women stopped by our booth for information on cancer prevention.  It was good to see so many people with an interest in learning more and also heartening to see such a high level of awareness and practice about the importance of using sunscreen and lip protection with SPF!

The final city was Thousand Oaks, our final Breakaway Mile city.  The largest crowd to date joined us at a Breakaway from Cancer breakfast and many of them shared their stories of early detection and survivorship with me.  It was there that we met the Thousand Oaks Cancer Champion Steve Bartolucci and his family.  What a leader he is in support of cancer awareness!  And the most thrilling moment of the day was when actor Patrick Dempsey joined us and hundreds of cancer survivors to march across the finish line in our Breakaway from Cancer mile.  The smiles on the faces of those marching alongside him were wide!

It was a privilege for Katie and me to work and travel with such a dedicated team of Breakaway from Cancer partners.  We thank our partners, Amgen, the Cancer Support Community, the Patient Advocate Foundation, and the national Coalition for Cancer Survivorship, as well as the thousands of men and women who came out to raise awareness with us.  It takes a team to fight cancer, and what a great team with have in Breakaway from Cancer!

An image from Bakersfield (Photo by Lisa Hughes)

May 23, 2010 - Amgen Breakaway from Cancer Champion Steve Bertolucci and actor and cancer awareness activist Patrick Dempsey share center point behind the Breakway from Cancer banner as they walk the Breakaway Mile in Bakersfield, CA.

]]> http://blog.preventcancer.org/2010/breakaway-wrap-up-an-awesome-finale/feed/ 0 Breakaway Day 5: Winners in Bakersfield http://blog.preventcancer.org/2010/breakaway-day-5/ http://blog.preventcancer.org/2010/breakaway-day-5/#comments Fri, 21 May 2010 15:38:48 +0000 PCF Admin http://blog.preventcancer.org/?p=339 Lisa and I had a little free time yesterday morning, and saw our opportunity to jump on the winners podium!  As we follow the Breakaway from Cancer Tour, we see lots of winners.

There are lots of winners everywhere. These winners are the lifestyle winners, the people who find information on cancer prevention and general health and use it to change deleterious habits into healthful ones in order that they may take consistent good care of themselves – and their families.

Enthusiastic Bakersfield

Stage 5 in Bakersfield was the third Breakaway Mile city.  An enthusiastic crowd of survivors and supporters turned out! Our Breakaway Champion from Bakersfield is Tricia Bland, an 18-year breast cancer survivor. She was lucky enough to detect her cancer early and she uses her role as a nutritionist and personal trainer to help educate the community on the importance of exercising and eating healthfully – two important factors in cancer prevention. We salute Tricia and all of our Breakaway Mile participants.

Support the Foundation through Breakaway

Want to support Breakaway from Cancer? Text Breakaway to 90999.

An image from Bakersfield (Photo by Andrew Tao)

May 20, 2010 - Senior Director Lisa Hughes and Manager, Public Affairs Katie Lapides try out first place before the pelotan finishes Stage 5 of the Amgen Tour of California, in Breakaway from Cancer host town, Bakersfield, CA.

]]> http://blog.preventcancer.org/2010/breakaway-day-5/feed/ 0 Breakaway Day 4: A Festival in Modesto http://blog.preventcancer.org/2010/breakaway-day-4-a-festival-in-modesto/ http://blog.preventcancer.org/2010/breakaway-day-4-a-festival-in-modesto/#comments Thu, 20 May 2010 20:24:23 +0000 PCF Admin http://blog.preventcancer.org/?p=309 The city of Modesto, CA welcomed the Breakaway from Cancer Tour with open arms.  The Mayor of Modesto joined us, along with many members of the community who were active participants in the ceremonies of Stage 4 of the Amgen Tour of California (ATOC.)  What a great city in which to start off my journey with the ATOC and Breakaway from Cancer.

Meeting Modesto, Sharing Experiences

While I spent the day in Modesto at the Lifestyle Festival, figure skating legend Peggy Fleming launched the professional riders off the mark in San Jose.  And while the cyclists were riding what I understand to have been a tough and windy route from San Jose to join us in Modesto, Katie and I talked with hundreds of men and women about the Prevent Cancer Foundation.  The level of interest was high!

Walking the second Breakaway Mile

Modesto is one of four Breakaway Mile cities.  In our Breakaway Mile cities, we celebrate members of the community who are survivors and caregivers.  I was honored to be able to share information about Prevent Cancer Foundation before I joined a group of more than 100 survivors and their families, friends and caregivers to march down the streets of Modesto and across the finish line.  It was quite a celebration of the strength of so many men and women in this community who are working to raise awareness about cancer.

Modesto’s Breakaway from Cancer Champion

The Breakaway from Cancer Champion today is Sandy Howard, an eight-year breast cancer survivor. Her spirit and energy in helping others navigate this disease was amazing. She was a joy to meet. The Breakaway from Cancer Champions are nominated by members of the Modesto community, and after meeting Sandy, I understand why she was selected to be the highlighted cancer champion in this community.

Tomorrow Katie and I are spending the day in another Breakaway Mile city, Bakersfield, CA.  We’re looking forward to another adventure!

Supporting the Foundation through Breakaway
Interested in supporting Breakaway from Cancer? Text BREAKAWAY to 90999 to donate $10 to the cause!

Images from Modesto (Photos by Andrew Tao)

May 19, 2010 - Senior Director Lisa Hughes in the lobby of the Gallo Center for the Arts, discussing the Prevent Cancer Foundation mission and work with locals at Modesto's Lifestyle Festival.

May 19, 2010 - Walkers congregate in downtown Modesto, CA to walk the Breakaway Mile in the hours before the pelotan comes to complete Stage Four of the Amgen Tour of California.

]]> http://blog.preventcancer.org/2010/breakaway-day-4-a-festival-in-modesto/feed/ 0 Breakaway Day 3: Honors in Santa Cruz http://blog.preventcancer.org/2010/breakaway-day-3-walking-the-mile-in-santa-cruz/ http://blog.preventcancer.org/2010/breakaway-day-3-walking-the-mile-in-santa-cruz/#comments Wed, 19 May 2010 18:30:44 +0000 PCF Admin http://blog.preventcancer.org/?p=273 If you were watching the Amgen Tour of California coverage on Versus, you very likely saw Prevent Cancer Foundation President and Founder Carolyn (Bo) Aldigé in Santa Cruz, CA presenting the yellow jersey to David Zabriskie, winner of Stage 3 of the tour!

Host City Events

Today was a special day on the Tour. In four cities they have a “Breakaway Mile”, a walk for cancer survivors and their supporters. We and our three other Breakaway from Cancer nonprofit partners each take the lead in one city, our city is Santa Cruz and we honored stamina and endurance today in the form of the Breakaway from Cancer Champion and the Breakaway from Cancer Most Courageous Rider.

Breakaway Honors

The Breakaway from Cancer Champion is found through a nomination process. Amgen then chooses a person to represent each host city, and to work with a designated nonprofit partner. Our city is Santa Rosa and our Champion is a very special woman from Watsonville, CA named Marilyn Luma. Marilyn is a 14-year survivor of breast cancer. When her results came back clear, she resolved to do something every year to fight the fight and encourage others affected by cancer.

She has been involved in many cancer and health groups, and has developed unique fundraising strategies including Tutus for Tatas. I had a chance to meet Marilyn; she’s a little firecracker and a wonderful person out there working for the cause of cancer prevention awareness and raising money for a cure for breast cancer.

Marilyn, as the Santa Cruz Breakaway from Cancer Champion, presented the Breakaway from Cancer Most Courageous Rider  jersey to Canadian Will Routley of Team Jelly Belly.

Supporting the Foundation through Breakaway

Interested in supporting Breakaway from Cancer? Text BREAKAWAY to 90999 to donate $10 to the cause!

Images from Santa Cruz (Photos by Andrew Tao.)

May 18, 2010 - Foundation Senior Director Lisa Hughes (L), Breakaway from Cancer Champion Marilyn Luma (C), and Amgen executive director of research Steve Young (R) and others walk the Breakaway Mile in Santa Cruz, CA.

May 18, 2010 - Amgen executive director of research Steve Young and Prevent Cancer Foundation Founder Carolyn Aldige present the Breakaway from Cancer Champion Marilyn Luma.

Marilyn Luma and Will Routley, Santa Cruz 2010

May 18, 2010 - Marilyn Luma presents Canadian Will Routley from Team Jelly Belly with the Most Courageous Rider jersey.

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