THE LANCE ARMSTRONG FOUNDATION LAUNCHES UNITY IS STRENGTH CAMPAIGN
Foundation Encourages Everyone to Share Their Story to Help People Living With Cancer Live Strong

AUSTIN, Texas - June 16, 2005 - Today the Lance Armstrong Foundation (LAF) launched the Unity Is Strength campaign to help people living with cancer get the emotional and practical support they need to live strong.  The LAF invites people who have been affected by cancer - as patients, doctors, caregivers or through family and friends - to share their stories at www.livestrong.org.  Stories of unity, knowledge and attitude will channel energy, hope, information and inspiration to the more than 10 million people living with cancer.

"I was diagnosed with cancer in 1996.  Sharing my story was therapeutic," says LAF founder and six-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong.  "Many people know my story.  My hope was that it would help others in a similar situation.  We need more people who stand up and say 'I'm a cancer survivor,' tell their story, and represent that story.  These stories are truly powerful tools in the battle against cancer."

The cancer community has focused its energy on eradicating the disease from people's bodies and it's made remarkable progress.  But as more people live with cancer, there is a growing need for support beyond treatment, specifically emotional and practical support, including how to deal with the long-term effects of chemotherapy, the fear of recurrence, and the loss of a job, health insurance or savings.   In fact, the 2004 LIVESTRONG™  Poll found that 50% of people living with cancer said their non-medical needs are currently unmet by the healthcare system. 

"One way to start providing support is to encourage people to continue to share their stories," says Armstrong.  "When people share what they've lived and learned, they help give others the emotional and practical support they need to live strong."

Last year, one simple gesture - wearing the yellow LIVESTRONG wristband - embodied the spirit of people affected by cancer.  Now with almost 50 million people wearing this symbol of hope on their wrists, the wristbands continue to strike a chord and empower people to share their cancer experiences. 

"Every wristband has a story," said Mitch Stoller, president and C.E.O. of the LAF.  "The power of these stories lies in our willingness to share them.  When we share our stories, we learn from others' cancer experiences.  When we share our stories, we can accomplish so much more in the fight against the disease.  Banding together we can make a difference for people living with cancer." 

About the Lance Armstrong Foundation
The Lance Armstrong Foundation (LAF) believes that in your battle with cancer, unity is strength, knowledge is power and attitude is everything.  From the moment of diagnosis we provide the practical information and tools you need to live strong. The LAF serves its mission through public health, advocacy, research and education, including the LIVESTRONG™ Resource for Cancer Survivors.  The LAF was founded in 1997 by cancer survivor and champion cyclist Lance Armstrong and is located in Austin, Texas.  For more information, visit www.livestrong.org.