Post by LATAGAW on Aug 23, 2005 12:40:41 GMT 8
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I am a cancer survivor.
My story is about Unity.
To me, live strong means that before cancer I just lived, now I live strong.
I was diagnosed with testicular cancer in 1996 when I was 25 years old. Almost nine years and seven Tour de France victories later, I'm still telling my story. The day I went to hear my treatment options, I learned a hard lesson about medicine; it treats the disease, not the patient. My doctor explained that the treatment I would receive was so crippling that I would basically need to start from scratch. Not only would cycling be history, but I'd also have to learn to walk again. I had to decide on a course of treatment within hours. Talking about my cancer experience was therapeutic. It was, and still is, an important form of support for me. I now know that millions of others living with cancer feel the same. We can help people get the support they need by sharing our stories. When people share what they've lived and learned - about dealing with the aftereffects of treatment, telling your kids and managing pain and depression - they help give others the emotional and practical support. Over the past year, one powerful phrase - LIVESTRONG - embodied the spirit of people who have been affected by cancer. One simple gesture - wearing the yellow wristband - became a compelling symbol of strength and hope. Suddenly talking about cancer became okay. Sharing your cancer experience with strangers became commonplace. Now, with more than 50 million people wearing hope on their wrists, I realize that these shared stories are
a truly powerful weapon in the battle against cancer. Our power in the fight against cancer lies in our ability to unite through common experiences and shared hope. When we share our stories, we learn that we are not alone in the fight. When we share our stories, our experiences take on a deeper meaning; we channel energy, knowledge, inspiration and strength to the millions of people living with cancer. That's why I share my story.
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I am a cancer survivor.
My story is about Unity.
To me, live strong means that before cancer I just lived, now I live strong.
I was diagnosed with testicular cancer in 1996 when I was 25 years old. Almost nine years and seven Tour de France victories later, I'm still telling my story. The day I went to hear my treatment options, I learned a hard lesson about medicine; it treats the disease, not the patient. My doctor explained that the treatment I would receive was so crippling that I would basically need to start from scratch. Not only would cycling be history, but I'd also have to learn to walk again. I had to decide on a course of treatment within hours. Talking about my cancer experience was therapeutic. It was, and still is, an important form of support for me. I now know that millions of others living with cancer feel the same. We can help people get the support they need by sharing our stories. When people share what they've lived and learned - about dealing with the aftereffects of treatment, telling your kids and managing pain and depression - they help give others the emotional and practical support. Over the past year, one powerful phrase - LIVESTRONG - embodied the spirit of people who have been affected by cancer. One simple gesture - wearing the yellow wristband - became a compelling symbol of strength and hope. Suddenly talking about cancer became okay. Sharing your cancer experience with strangers became commonplace. Now, with more than 50 million people wearing hope on their wrists, I realize that these shared stories are
a truly powerful weapon in the battle against cancer. Our power in the fight against cancer lies in our ability to unite through common experiences and shared hope. When we share our stories, we learn that we are not alone in the fight. When we share our stories, our experiences take on a deeper meaning; we channel energy, knowledge, inspiration and strength to the millions of people living with cancer. That's why I share my story.
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