>> October 18, 2005
Although the Tour of Hope Finale at the Ellipse was canceled due to the rain, the Tour of Hope staff miraculously scrambled to put together a smaller, but more intimate celebration. The disappointment of not ending our journey on the Ellipse didn’t last long for me as I took comfort in knowing that the Tour of Hope is not about a grand finale, but a grand cause (profound words from Chris Brewer  ). It was great to have my family and friends in DC to celebrate the end of this remarkable journey as they were my teammates when I was fighting for my life 11 years ago. I am forever grateful and indebted to my family (especially my wife, Danielle) and friends for all of their support and encouragement over the past 11 years. I couldn’t have beaten cancer without their help – Taking on cancer takes a team effort and I thank my family and friends for being part of my Tour of Hope team.

It is very difficult to explain what this experience was like. Participation in the Tour of Hope was the most physically and emotionally intense experience of my life. To think that I was able to push the physical limits of my body beyond anything I could have ever imagined was quite a rush. There were days in which I doubted whether I would be able to finish the stage. Then something would happen to motivate me to push harder until I moved beyond the physical pain and feelings of self-doubt. Sometimes the motivation stemmed from thinking of my own struggles with cancer while other times it was from the incredibly inspiring people I have met (both during the Tour of Hope and throughout my journey as a cancer survivor). I have learned that the capacity of the human spirit is immeasurable. Doctors cannot quantify the impact of having a positive attitude or a steadfast fighting spirit on their patients daily struggles with cancer. The human spirit is a powerful drug and there are no side-effects.

While the Tour of Hope has ended for me, I continue to wake each morning with a smile on my face and hope in my heart. Hope that one day we will find a cure for this dreadful disease. Hope that one day we will eliminate the suffering from cancer. Hope that one day I will be out of a job as a cancer researcher and running a quaint bed and breakfast somewhere in the Berkshire Hills. Until that day, I take solace in knowing hope continues to ride on in the work that we do as survivors, caregivers, advocates and researchers. Hope Rides On!

>> October 6, 2005
Today’s stage was a wet one. We started our ride at 6:00 a.m. from Cherryville, NC. The rain was coming down sideways at times and didn’t let up once on our way into Charlotte. Lance and George Hincapie inspired us when they joined the ride. We were led into Charlotte by a Tour of Hope NASCAR racing car from the Petty racing school. The Charlotte Hope Rally took place at the Buddy Kemp Caring House, which offers community support programs for individuals diagnosed with cancer, their families and friends. The hospitality at the Charlotte rally was incredible. We spoke with cancer patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals about the importance of cancer research and the issues that survivors face. One of my teammates, Tony, received a special treat when he was greeted by his wife and son at the rally. It was quite an emotional reunion for them. We are off to Virginia to ride in our last stage. It is one of the toughest stages of the entire tour with over 12,000 feet of climbing in the Blue Ridge Mountains. I don’t think anyone on our Team would want it any other way; one last challenge to overcome before we ride into Washington, D.C. on Saturday. Washington – get ready…The Tour of Hope train is on its way and carrying a message of hope. Hope rides on…

>> October 5, 2005
We started today off in Alabama and rode toward the Georgia state line. The terrain was quite hilly, with over 6,000 feet of climbing. Once in Georgia, our team received a police escort into Atlanta where the Georgia Cancer Coalition hosted a Tour of Hope celebration at Centennial Olympic Park. Lance joined us for the last part of the ride and a local TV affiliate provided a live feed to a large screen at the park.

Atlanta’s rally included speakers such as Dr. Andrew von Eschenbach from the National Cancer Institute, Lance and Governor Purdue of Georgia. Mary, Scott and I had the opportunity to address the crowd and share our stories. After the stage event our team mingled with the crowd, took many pictures and signed a few autographs. A number of cancer survivors spoke with us about their personal struggles with cancer and how much it meant to them that we were spreading the message of hope during our cross-country journey. It is clear that we have come a long way in the war on cancer, but is also clear that we have a long way to go. We are off to our next stage in Charlotte, N.C. I will write tomorrow after the Charlotte stage. Hope rides on…

>> October 4, 2005 - 7PM
We started today off at a Hope Rally at the UMC Cancer Institute in Jackson, Mississippi. It was another hot day, but we didn't mind since we had a few special guests riding with us. Lance, and Frank Pasqualone from BMS joined us for the ride. Prior to departing from Jackson, we spoke to employees and patients of the cancer center about our connection to cancer and the importance of cancer clinical trials. Our team is feeling strong and working really well as a group, on and off the road. We have stories that will last a lifetime. Tomorrow we will be riding into Centennial Park in Atlanta, GA. We look forward to riding into Atlanta and sharing our stories of hope. Danielle, Sarah, and Taylor - I miss you and love you very much. Daddy will be home soon... Hope rides on...

>> October 3, 2005
The last couple of days of riding have been tough. Yesterday we rode the entire stage in west Texas with a 20 mph head wind. We started the stage at 4 a.m. and rode toward Austin as the sun rose over the horizon. Today we cycled over the hills west of Austin. As we rode onto the Austin Capitol Grounds, a crowd of well wishers greeted us, including the family of our fellow teammate Duke. His family hung out until 4 a.m. to see us roll into Lance’s hometown. We all felt pretty tired until we saw the crowd cheering us on… It’s funny how all of our aches and pains seemed to disappear when we saw all those families who came out in the early morning to thank us for what we are doing.

Time to rest. Our next stage is in a few hours. Hope rides on…

>> October 1, 2005 - 3 PM
We started our day just outside Silver City, New Mexico with a 12 mile, category 2 climb up to Emory pass and over the continental divide. We were asked to make up an hour during this stage. Needless to say, our legs were burning and spinning hard as we averaged close to 30 mph on the flats. We ended up 50 minutes ahead of schedule, making it possible for the next squad to get to their rally on time. Chris, the mechanic, put a picture of my two daughters, Sarah and Taylor, on the top tube of my bike and every time I needed a boost I would look down and see them smiling at me. I cannot wait to see my family in D.C.

>> September 30, 2005
Today had its highs and lows. We started the stage in Maricopa, AZ following an uplifting hope rally at a local school. After speaking to the crowd and listening to an inspirational 17 year old share his story about fighting brain cancer, hundreds of kids lined the streets and cheered us on as we headed out on stage two. We knew it was going to be hot, but none of us were prepared for what we saw on our cycle computers. When we began the stage in the Arizona desert, the temperature was 111 degrees. Only three of the six team members finished the stage and I wasn't one of them. My legs started to cramp despite staying hydrated through the ride and the heat got the best of me. While it was emotionally tough for me to finish the last part of the stage in the follow vehicle, I worked as hard as I could and tomorrow I will be back reenergized and ready to ride. My teammate Mary Kreis rode hard and strong and I felt inspired as I watched her finish the stage with a long, hard and hot climb to the transition area. We will be in New Mexico tomorrow and I look forward to a new day...Hope rides on...

>> September 29, 2005 2:00PM PT
After 16 weeks of training, sweat, and sacrifices, the Tour of Hope team has begun the monumental cross country journey to spread the message of hope. The kickoff celebration at Scripps Health in San Diego was incredible. They rolled out the red carpet for us and many of the riders had the opportunity to share their stories with the local and national press. Following the stage ceremony, we joined Lance and others as we rolled toward the Pacific Ocean and began our climb out of San Diego. Our team (Team Viva) is feeling strong and ready to ride. I am looking forward to sharing my journey with everyone and hope that you check back frequently. Hope rides on...

>> September 16, 2005
We are less than two weeks away from the Tour of Hope kickoff in San Diego. Thanks to Jason at Carmichael Training I am in the best shape of my life and 15 pounds lighter than when training started in June. As ambassadors of the Bristol-Myers Squibb Tour of Hope, we will be sharing our stories at various hope rallies as we ride cross-country, spreading the message of hope and emphasizing the importance of clinical trials. I want to underscore that our stories go well beyond our individual experiences and the words that come out of our mouths. As many of you know, cancer impacts not only the individual diagnosed, but their family, friends and larger community. My life wouldn’t have turned out the way it has without the unyielding support of my family and friends, especially my wife, Danielle. Danielle has been my pillar of strength over the past 10 years. She stood by my side through all the hills and valleys of fighting this indiscriminate disease. She never gave up on me or let me question whether I would pull through. I would need to live many lifetimes in order to reciprocate her unwavering support and love. As you read and hear our stories on the road, please realize that our successes wouldn’t be possible without the support and encouragement of our families and friends. It goes without saying that cancer cannot be beaten alone; it requires a team. I want to thank my team for all that they have done for me over the past 10 years. Hope rides on…Will see you all in Washington, DC…

>> July 23, 2005
Every once in a while I pinch myself to make sure this isn’t a dream. Well, today was one of those days. This morning I was out on a training ride decked out in our electric yellow Tour of Hope kit and matching Project One Trek bike. For the past two years, I have been riding the same training loop and have certainly received my share of nod-like salutations and gestures from passing cyclists suggesting we are all part of a really cool sport. However, today was different. Today, these cyclists wanted to talk with me about the Tour of Hope and my connection with cancer. While my story was important to share, I found myself focusing on stories of cancer survivors and caregivers I have met through my cancer journey - stories of hope, survival, loss and moving forward despite persisting heartache. These are the stories that motivate me to get on my bike everyday and prepare for this arduous, monumental journey. While I wanted to keep sharing these stories, I knew Coach Jason from Carmichael Training Systems would scold me if I didn’t get my high intensity Steady State workouts in, so I had to ride on. As I rode away, I thought about the many people who have helped shape who I am today and realized I am riding in the Tour of Hope for all of them (You know who you are). Thank you for touching my life.

>> June 15, 2005
The day I received the phone call to inform me that I was selected on the team was a special moment in my life. It was Thursday afternoon when my cell phone rang. I heard, “This is Karen from the Tour of Hope” and then I heard that all too familiar and unpleasant sound of static. You guessed it – I lost the cell phone connection. My family and I were on vacation in Florida, so my cell phone was the only means of communication. I immediately ran to an area in the condo where I knew I could get a signal and anxiously awaited a call back. Finally the phone rang again. When I picked up, I heard Karen on the other line. She asked if we had a better connection and then she told me not to move. I was a bundle of nerves, but she immediately informed me that I was selected as one of the members of the Team. I cannot remember much after that, as countless thoughts went through my head, but I just knew I was about to embark on something very special.

When I got off the phone I ran into the living room to share the news with my family. Euphoria swept through the room and before I could finish telling my family the details, we all were jumping for joy. My three-year daughter got so caught up in the excitement, started jumping up and down, wrapped her arms around me and gave me an incredible hug. Then she asked if she could ride her bike alongside me when we go across country. Being 3-years-old, I don’t think she truly understood what we were celebrating other than what sounded to her like a cool bike ride, which is certainly a cause for celebration for a three-year old. I took great pleasure in being able to share this wonderful news with my daughter, Sarah, after being told by many specialists that I probably wouldn’t be able to have children as a result of my treatment. This was one of those peak experiences that will unquestionably stay with me forever.

What made this day even more special was I received the call on my nephew, Kyle’s, 10th birthday. The significance of this day is that Kyle was born on the same day I finished my last chemotherapy treatment in the same local hospital. I vividly remember walking from the cancer ward, with my IV attached, to the maternity ward where Kyle was born and thinking on this day two lives have begun – Kyle’s and my own. This day marked my second chance at life. Kyle and I have always had a very special connection and to receive the call from the Tour of Hope on his birthday made the start of an amazing journey even more special. I feel honored to be part of such an incredible team and look forward to sharing my journey and spreading the message of hope and the importance of clinical trials and cancer research.