Houston welcomes Tour of Hope Team at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center

An enthusiastic crowd turned out in full force for the Bristol-Myers Squibb Tour of Hope's stop at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston on Monday, Oct. 3

Houston, TX— Lance Armstrong and the Tour of Hope Team rode through the campus of Texas Medical Center and were greeted by a crowd of supporters at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center for a celebration of cancer survivorship and clinical trials.

More than 1,000 people lined the street to show support for Lance and the Team as they continue on their journey to raise awareness about the importance of cancer research. Cyclists from M. D. Anderson and Texas Medical Center led Lance and the Tour of Hope Team in a ceremonial ride through the campus.

Cancer survivor and seven-time Tour de France Champion Lance Armstrong addresses the crowd during the Bristol-Myers Squibb Tour of Hope event at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center on Monday, Oct. 3.

Dr. John Mendelsohn, M. D. Anderson president, welcomed Lance and the Team to the afternoon event with a “thank you” for their focus on cancer research. Mayor Bill White echoed Dr. Mendelsohn, extending a warm welcome from the entire city of Houston.

Peter Dolan, CEO of Bristol-Myers Squibb, challenged the crowd to continue the good work they do at M. D. Anderson. He introduced the Tour of Hope Team riders and Lance Armstrong.

A lifelong Texan, Lance was happy to bring the message of hope to his home state. Lance spoke about his own treatment for cancer, and how it was clinical trials that helped develop the drugs that he used in treatment for testicular cancer.

2004 Team Member Mike Siegel (left) and his uncle, 2005 Team Member Dick Shaffer (right) present a Bristol-Myers Squibb Tour of Hope jersey to Dr. John Mendelsohn of the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center on Monday, Oct. 3.

It was a homecoming of sorts for Tour of Hope Team member Dick Shaffer, who for six months left his family in upstate New York to travel to M. D. Anderson to take part in a clinical trial to treat his esophageal cancer. Dick spoke fondly of his treatment team at M. D. Anderson and expressed his gratitude to them.

Dick’s family and friends were in Houston for the event, and they carried signs bearing his face. Their vocal support for Dick led Lance to jokingly warn Mayor White that his job could be in jeopardy! He presented the mayor with a Tour of Hope jersey.

Riders from all three Tour of Hope Teams ride through the campus of Texas Medical Center and to M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston on October 3. From left: Chris Brewer (2003), Joey Steele (2004), Darren Mullen (2004), Carolina Casares (2005), Mike Siegel (2004), Ted Yang (2004) and Jennifer Hartley (2005).

Team member and oncology nurse Jennifer Hartley spoke to the crowd, saying that just like riding in the Tour of Hope, dealing with cancer is a team effort.

Dick and 2004 Team member Mike Siegel, also a former patient at M. D. Anderson, presented Dr. Mendelsohn with a Tour of Hope jersey in appreciation for M. D. Anderson’s dedication to the fight against cancer.