elebrating Living Well with Cancer: the 6th Annual Tour Des Chutes
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A Beautiful Day for a Beautiful Cause |
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Roger Worthington with Michael McDaniel. Michael was diagnosed with brain
cancer at the age of 15. Five years later he remains determined with a
smile for everyone he meets. |
Bend, Oregon. Under blue skies on a bright sunshiny day seemingly within
a stone’s throw of the snow capped Cascade Mountains, thousands
of cancer survivors, caregivers and supporters gathered to celebrate the
6th Annual 2010 Tour Des Chutes. For the third year, The Punch Worthington
Lab proudly sponsored the fundraiser and fun ride to support efforts in
Central Oregon to help cancer patients survive and thrive.
The Punch Worthington Laboratory, located at UCLA, is the home of novel
research into cures for asbestos cancer under the direction Dr. Robert
Cameron of the
Pacific Heart, Lung & Blood Institute. The lab is dedicated to
David “Punch” Worthington, a union sandblaster, genetics professor and beloved father and grand-father
who lost his lengthy battle with asbestos cancer in 2006.
What a fantastic day!,” beamed Roger Worthington, who emceed the
festivities. “We had live music, scrumptious chow, inspiring guest
speakers, free schwag, ice cream and some of the most courageous people
on Earth, all united in the mission to raise money and hope for cancer
survivors.”
With ride distances ranging from 7 to 100 miles, the Tour Des Chutes attracted
over 1,000 riders, from ages between 5 years and 91 years old. The event,
which is the brainchild of cancer survivor and local celebrity Gary Bonacker,
raised over $80,000. All proceeds will be donated to the St. Charles Medical
Center’s Cancer Survivorship Program and the Livestrong Foundation.
Punch would have been happy, “ mused Worthington, whose father Punch
Worthington , a long-time Salem, Oregon resident, survived over 3 years
beyond his original lung cancer diagnosis.
Punch showed me that the greatest legacy a cancer patient can leave is
his quest to live another day. He exemplified the adage about having the
tranquility to accept the things he couldn’t change, the courage
to change the things he could, and the wisdom to know the difference.”
For more information about the Tour Des Chutes, including how you or a
loved one can participate in the survivorship program, please click here.
http://tourdeschutes.org/
In only six short years, the Tour Des Chutes has spawned many novel programs
designed to help cancer patients and their caregivers thrive. This year,
director Dr. Archie Bleyer, announced the Soaring Spirits Camp, which
will target children of cancer patients to spend a weekend in mid August
swimming, kayaking, hiking, planting trees, birdwatching, and writing
poetry at Suttle Lake near Sisters, Oregon. For more information, click
onhttp://www.defeatcancer.info/Soaring/Soaring.html
Roger G. Worthington
7/20/10
2009 Tour des Chutes in conjunction with Lance Armstrong Foundation. Bend, Oregon
July 18, 2009.
Roger Worthington in conjunction with the Punch Worthington Research Lab
is a lead sponsor of the Tour des Chutes, a multi-distance cycling event
in Bend, Oregon benefiting the Lance Armstrong Foundation & the St.
Charles Cancer Center. (http://www.tourdeschutes.org).
In 2008 the Tour raised $144,247.30. $35,000 was contributed to the Lance
Armstrong Foundation and an additional $15,000 for their 2009 funding.
The Lance Armstrong Foundation sends back approximately
twice that amount for local programs in the form of a three year challenge grant
to our local cancer survivorship organizations.
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Cancer Survivors: Lance Armstrong, L, and Dr. Paul Van Camp (R), Labor
Power teammate for life and prostate cancer survivor and advocate. |
Stronger, Faster, Better: Tour Des Chutes 2009
Roger Worthington, asbestos lawyer, bike racer and sponsor, interviews
elite athlete Michael Larsen at the 4th Annual 2009 Tour Des Chutes in
Bend, Oregon (July 18, 2009). The Tour Des Chutes, a bike ride that raises
money for cancer patient and caregiver support programs, reached two new
peaks this year: the most participants ever -- over 1,000 -- and the most
funds raised ever -- over $90,000.
The Punch Worthington Lab is proud to be a gold medal sponsor of the Tour
Des Chutes for the second year in a row. Worthington again emceed the
event and had a blast. "A day filled with vigorous exercise, good
music, great views of the Cascades, new friends, delicious food and the
joy of helping cancer patients live a better life," said Roger Worthington.
Proceeds from the event are divided between the Lance Armstrong Foundation
and the St. Charles Medical Cancer Survivorship Program.
Worthington also took the opportunity to celebrate the life of legendary
endurance athlete and former Labor Power teammate Steve Larsen, who died
this year in Bend while training for an triathalon. Michael Larsen, himself
a talented and gritty bike racer, is Steve's older brother.