Olympic-sized welcome for Lance and Tour of Hope in Atlanta

Crowds lined the pathway for the Tour of Hope Team's ride into Centennial Olympic Park in Atlanta for a celebration hosted by the Georgia Cancer Coalition. Here, Mary Kreis, Keith Bellizzi and Peter Silberstein lead the Team, including Lance Armstrong, into the park on Oct. 5.

ATLANTA — Centennial Olympic Park proved to be the perfect setting for the Tour of Hope Team as the riders continue on an extraordinary trek across the country to encourage people to learn about and take part in clinical trials. Nine years ago, top athletes from around the globe flocked to the Park to showcase their talents in the Olympic Games. On October 5, Lance Armstrong and the Tour of Hope Team members cycled into the park, not just as athletes, but as testaments to the promise of cancer research.

Tour of Hope riders (from left) Wendy Burns, Eric Lanner, Ahmet Karacaoglu, Margy MacMillan, Bob Gilmore and Meg Berte with Bill Todd, president and CEO of the Georgia Cancer Coalition, in Centennial Olympic Park in Atlanta on October 5.

The Georgia Cancer Coalition hosted the event, and GCC President and CEO William J. Todd welcomed the crowd of about 1,000 people. Dr. Andrew von Eschenbach, director of the National Cancer Institute, commended the GCC for the progress it has made in increasing cancer clinical trials in Georgia.

Bristol-Myers Squibb CEO Peter Dolan took a few minutes to speak on the Tour of Hope’s mission before introducing the riders who would be cycling out of Atlanta, bringing the Tour of Hope one step closer to its Washington, DC Finale.

Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin proclaimed October 5 “Tour of Hope Day” while emphasizing the importance of bringing cancer awareness initiatives like the Tour of Hope to the city.

The crowd cheered as one set of riders completed a leg of the ride and sent another on its way. Lance and the arriving team pedaled into the park behind a parade of cancer survivors, all dressed in yellow shirts. Mr. Dolan introduced riders Mary Kreis, Keith Belllizz and Scott Perelstein, who shared their personal survivor stories, adding to the emotional tone of the event. During Keith’s remarks he urged the entire crowd to shout together, “Atlanta made the Promise!”

Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue presents a bag of signed Promises to Lance Armstrong at the Tour of Hope celebration in Atlanta's Centennial Olympic Park on Oct. 5.

Lance described his own battle against cancer and underscored the importance of cancer research. Dr. John Seffrin, CEO of the American Cancer Society agreed with Lance, calling him “living evidence” that clinical trials make a difference.

Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue presented Lance with all of the signed Promises from Atlanta. He said he wants Georgia to be the first state to implement a statewide clinical trials network so it can make a significant contribution in the fight against cancer.