Lance Armstrong Marks 5th Annual LIVESTRONG Day with Nationwide Fly-Around

On national grassroots lobby day, Armstrong to visit 4 cities to raise awareness and funds for the fight against cancer

AUSTIN, Texas – May 13, 2008 – LIVESTRONG Day, the Lance Armstrong Foundation's (LAF) annual nationwide mobilization of its many supporters to raise awareness and funds for the fight against cancer, will take place through more than 600 simultaneous events in all 50 states today.

"LIVESTRONG Day is the one day of the year we ask everyone in America to help us win the fight against cancer," said Armstrong. "Cancer will take nearly 600,000 American lives in 2008. As a nation, we have the power to change that. And in this election year, it has never been more important that we bear health care, a fundamental necessity of life, in mind as we cast our ballots."

Armstrong kicked off LIVESTRONG Day yesterday with an appearance on ABC's Good Morning America. He will begin the day today at the Ralph Lauren Center for Cancer Care and Prevention (RLC) in Harlem where Ralph Lauren, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Armstrong will highlight the work the RLC is doing to make cancer screening and care accessible to under-served people who suffer disproportionately from cancer.

Armstrong will then travel to Ohio State University (OSU) where he will lead a rally geared toward empowering the swing state's residents to vote with cancer in mind. Armstrong will also preview the LIVESTRONG Summit which will take place on the OSU campus July 24-27. The Summit, featuring Senator John McCain, will bring together delegates from across the country to learn how to effectively mobilize local, state and national support for cancer policy improvements. Senators Clinton and Obama have also been invited to participate. Following Ohio, Armstrong will travel to the University of Denver for a LIVESTRONG Day event featuring talks by DU-affiliated cancer survivors, voter registration stations, and tables with information and resources about cancer prevention, statistics and support.

Armstrong will conclude his day in Las Vegas with a tour of the Nevada Cancer Institute (NVCI). Designated by the state legislature as the official cancer institute for the State of Nevada, NVCI is a collaborative, statewide effort involving concerned citizens, the oncology community, academic leaders, legislators, corporations, healthcare advocates, and cancer patients and their families. This collaborative effort exemplifies the spirit of LIVESTRONG Day and sets the standard for how communities can come together to fight the war against cancer.

Every day, 1500 Americans are lost to cancer. LIVESTRONG Day events and activities – from bike rides and "Wear Yellow" initiatives, to official proclamations and voter registration drives, to bake sales and beyond – – are designed to raise awareness of the need to prevent suffering and death due to cancer by focusing on prevention, access to screening and care, research and quality of life for survivors. All 65 LAF employees will attend events across the country to show the LAF's support and appreciation for event organizers and participants.

The LAF is hoping to capitalize on the unusual level of local involvement in this year's Presidential election, which Foundation officials believe provides a unique opportunity to educate voters about the critical role national and state policies play in defeating cancer. Federal funding for the fight against cancer has been flat in recent years, despite the epidemic proportions of the disease. To that end, the LAF is "thinking nationally and acting locally," bringing the fight to the hometown level with the ultimate goal of making cancer a national priority.

"This year, we decided to bring LIVESTRONG Day directly to the people in communities across the country that are helping us fight this war. I am sincerely moved by the level of grassroots support we have seen; more than 600 events in all 50 states is quite an accomplishment," said Armstrong. "In a Presidential election year, it is more important than ever for voters to get involved and ask candidates how they intend to combat the number one killer of Americans under the age of 85. LIVESTRONG Day is our opportunity to put cancer front and center in the national debate."

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 $250 million for the fight against cancer. Join 60 million LIVESTRONG wristband wearers and help make cancer a national priority. Unite and fight cancer at LIVESTRONG.org.