Lance Armstrong To Receive American Association Of Cancer Institutes' Public Service And Advocacy Award

Main Category: Cancer / Oncology
Also Included In: Urology / Nephrology;  Sports Medicine / Fitness
Article Date: 07 Oct 2008 - 4:00 PDT

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The Lance Armstrong Foundation (LAF) is proud to announce that its founder and chairman, Lance Armstrong, is the 2008 recipient of the American Association of Cancer Institutes' (AACI) Public Service and Advocacy Award. AACI will present the award to Armstrong on Mon., Oct. 6 in Chicago, IL, at its annual meeting. Armstrong is being honored for his efforts in support of cancer survivors and the nation's cancer centers. Senator Edward Kennedy will be similarly honored for his support of biomedical and cancer research.

"It is a great honor to be recognized by the AACI, especially in the same forum as a champion of healthcare reform and the war against cancer, Senator Edward Kennedy," said Armstrong. "AACI members serve on the front lines of this fight and it is thanks to their hard work and dedication that America continues to advance into a time of great hope in the struggle against this disease."

Armstrong is a father of three, a cancer survivor and a cycling champion. In 1997, facing a struggle for his life against testicular cancer that had spread to his brain and lungs, he created the Lance Armstrong Foundation (LAF) to support fellow survivors. In the years since its creation, Armstrong's foundation has supported landmark achievements in America's fight against cancer, a disease that will claim more than eight million lives this year worldwide. In 2004, the LAF's yellow LIVESTRONG(TM) wristbands became an international phenomenon and a grassroots symbol of support for survivors. Sales of the $1 wristband have provided tens of millions of dollars for the fight against cancer. In 2007, Armstrong hosted America's first Presidential Cancer Forum, propelling the disease to the forefront of the campaign dialogue and providing voters with an opportunity to hear directly from candidates about their plans to combat it. Last year, Armstrong helped unite support for an initiative in Texas that provided $3 billion for cancer research and prevention and was overwhelmingly approved by voters. He has lobbied Capitol Hill, testified before Congress, served two terms on the President's Cancer Panel, advocated for smoke-free measures all over America and helped raise $260 million to support survivors and fund research. Last month, Armstrong announced his return to professional cycling in order to expand his foundation's mission to support survivors all over the world.

"AACI, along with all of our member centers, look forward to recognizing Lance Armstrong's energetic efforts in support of cancer survivors and the vital work of the nation's cancer centers," said AACI Executive Director, Barbara Duffy Stewart.

The LAF partners with AACI member institutes in supporting people affected by cancer through the LIVESTRONG(TM) Survivorship Centers of Excellence Network. Working together, Network members provide essential survivorship services and increase the effectiveness of survivorship care through research, the development of new interventions and the sharing of best practices. The Network members include:

-- Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Living Well After Cancer Program (Philadelphia, PA)

-- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Lance Armstrong Foundation Adult Survivor Clinic (Boston, MA)

-- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Survivorship Program (Seattle, WA)

-- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, Survivorship Program (New York, NY)

-- Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center - James Cancer Hospital and the Solove Research Institute, Survivorship Center (Columbus, OH)

-- UCLA's Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, Survivorship Program (Los Angeles, CA)

-- University of Colorado Cancer Center, Survivorship Program (Denver, CO)

-- University of North Carolina Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, Survivorship Center (Chapel Hill, NC)

"Lance Armstrong's vision, together with the financial support of his Foundation, have brought together eight of the best cancer survivorship programs in the U.S. to work as a team to more rapidly advance the research agenda in this field, and to develop improved models of care which will better serve this important and growing group of patients," said Dr. Lawrence Shulman, Chief Medical Officer and Senior Vice President for Medical Affairs, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

About the Lance Armstrong Foundation

The Lance Armstrong Foundation (LAF) unites people through programs and experiences to empower cancer survivors to live life on their own terms and to raise awareness and funds for the fight against cancer. The LAF focuses on cancer prevention, access to screening and care, research and quality of life for cancer survivors. Founded in 1997 by cancer survivor and champion cyclist Lance Armstrong, the LAF has raised more than $260 million for the fight against cancer. Join 60 million LIVESTRONG(TM) wristband wearers and help make cancer a national priority. Unite and fight cancer at http://www.LIVESTRONG.org.

About AACI

Representing 92 of the premier academic and free-standing cancer research centers, AACI is dedicated to aiding its members' shared mission to eradicate cancer. For more than 30 years, the Association has provided a unified voice for cancer center directors to educate policy leaders and the public about the importance of cancer centers and the role they play in reducing the burden of cancer in their communities.

Lance Armstrong Foundation