South Salem breast cancer survivor joins 500 from all over the world for global fight against cancer

April 11, 2012 - PRLog -- From March 28-30, more than ten partner groups, including LIVESTRONG Senior Leaders and LIVESTRONG Leaders, like Rica Mendes, Camp Kesem, the LIVESTRONG Promotores that serve the Hispanic/Latino Cancer Community, and LIVESTRONG at the YMCA, attended the LIVESTRONG Assembly to work on tactical plans and 2012 initiatives in their respective areas. At the State of the Foundation lunch on Thursday, participants heard LIVESTRONG President and CEO, Doug Ulman, and were surprised with a visit from founder Lance Armstrong. Thursday night included a Fun Fajita Dinner, where participants were able to kick back and enjoy the company of fellow attendees who share a common purpose. At a Collaborative Mission meeting on Friday morning, all groups joined to network and learn how everyone contributes to the success of LIVESTRONG’s mission.

“As a LIVESTRONG Leader,” Mendes explains, “I’m always organizing local events, like the upcoming ROCK the RIDE and RUN on Sunday, April 29 in Pound Ridge, NY,  that bring people together to raise funds for the Foundation, raise awareness of the services they provide to anyone affected by cancer, and help address the needs of cancer survivors at home and around the world. This Assembly was not only like a family reunion, but it allowed us all to plug back into the bigger picture, to learn more about what LIVESTRONG is doing in 2012 and the future, and to see how we can support one another as we support everyone fighting cancer around the globe.”

During Thursday’s State of the Foundation Luncheon, Ulman and Armstrong talked about what LIVESTRONG has planned at the Foundation for 2012 – from expansion of navigation resources for cancer fighters to funding proven cancer support programs to implementing international anti-stigma campaigns and supporting California’s Proposition 29, which would tax cigarettes $1 per pack to raise over $800 million a year for cancer research and to keep kids from smoking in the state of California.

LIVESTRONG Leaders are passionate about and committed to making cancer a priority. At the Assembly, Leaders from around the world were trained on LIVESTRONG programs and services, fundraising, communication, advocacy, event planning and how to engage the public through social media.

“The opportunity for all of us to meet face to face with one another is rare, and we embraced it. To be able to engage with LIVESTRONG staff, as well as veteran Leaders and fundraisers, social media influencers and our partners was invaluable. It’s the first time that we were able to workshop as a group, and I can’t wait to do it again next year. I feel even more prepared and equipped to work for those touched by cancer here in the Westchester County & Fairfield County area. In addition to programs like LIVESTRONG at the Y, which was just approved for the Wilton, CT YMCA, LIVESTRONG-supported programs are just as strong for the family members supporting the cancer fighter. Camp Kesem, for example, provides a free week of recreation and support to the children of cancer fighters.There are so many fantastic resources that are becoming more and more available, and I look forward to helping to connect cancer fighters with all that LIVESTRONG has to offer.”

The foundation provides help to individuals and families facing cancer, by phone at 855-220-7777, online at livestrong.org/gethelp, and in person at the LIVESTRONG Cancer Navigation Center in Austin. Services are free of charge, in both English and Spanish, and available at any point in the journey to anyone affected by cancer: patients, families, friends, loved ones, and health care professionals. They include emotional support and peer matching, fertility preservation, practical assistance with treatment, insurance, employment, and financial concerns, and clinical trial matching.

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We believe in what LIVESTRONG represents. We do what we can, through fundraising, programming, riding, running & swimming, to raise awareness for those living with cancer today in the Fairfield County, CT & Westchester County, NY areas.
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About the Lance Armstrong Foundation
The Lance Armstrong Foundation serves people affected by cancer and empowers them to take action against the world's leading cause of death. Created in 1997 by cancer survivor and champion cyclist Lance Armstrong, the Foundation provides free patient navigation services to survivors with financial, emotional and practical challenges that accompany the disease. With its iconic yellow LIVESTRONG wristband and its powerful brand — LIVESTRONG — , the Foundation became a symbol of hope and inspiration and is also a leader in the global movement on behalf of 28 million people living with cancer today. LIVESTRONG has raised more than $450 million for the fight against cancer. For more info, visit LIVESTRONG .org