Riders share Message of Hope at rally in Greenville

Discovery Pro Cycling Team rider George Hincape with Tour of Hope Team members Randy Ziss (left) and Chris Millard at a Tour of Hope celebration Oct. 5 in Greenville, SC.

GREENVILLE, SC -- The Tour of Hope Team brought their message of hope to Greenville on October 5, as the ride continued its journey toward Washington, DC. The celebration drew a large crowd to see cancer survivor and seven-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong and his Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team teammate, hometown hero George Hincape.

Tour of Hope riders Duke Browning, Joan King, Becky Lamph, Jeff Tredup and Jim Geiger laugh the crowd and with emcee Jamal Grooms in Greenville, SC before taking off on another stage of the Tour of Hope.

It was the Tour of Hope Team riders who inspired all in attendance with their personal survivor stories. Lance introduced Team members Chris Millard and Randy Ziss, and each spoke. Throughout the ride and leading up to the Tour of Hope, Team members have been receiving Messages of Hope via the Tour of Hope web site from friends, family and people they’ve never met. Randy, who is a retired Air Force officer, was so moved by one message that he chose to read it in his remarks:

“Dear Randy,
I’m an active duty Air Force officer fighting cancer (multiple myeloma). During my stem cell transplants I had a bike in my room and rode with IV pumps attached. I could close my eyes, imagine the road and wind and hear nothing but the chain and gears and for a moment I was free. Enjoy your ride, and know that with each turn of the crank there are cancer patients with their eyes closed – on your left – and for a moment, free. Thank you.”

Tour of Hope rider Dick Shaffer reacts as folks at the Greenville, NC squad transition sing "Happy Birthday" to him on Oct. 5.

People were visibly touched by Randy’s message, which reinforced the Team’s mission to bring hope to people touched by cancer. Later, area members of the Lance Armstrong Foundation Peloton Project presented Lance with a check for $30,000. Greenville Mayor Knox White and Bristol-Myers Squibb Senior Vice President Frank Pasqualone also made remarks.

At the team transition later in the evening, about 40 people turned out to Greenville Memorial Hospital to support the riders. Dick Shaffer and Harry Slocum spoke to the group, which sang “Happy Birthday” to Dick. Team members on the incoming squad spoke briefly as well.