SpencerWon

We are planning a cancer advocacy event here in Austin in September and need your help. Please visit the Spokes of Hope LIVESTRONG Army Austin signup page to join us.

In September, 2009, we are going to hold an event to send bicycle riders on their journey to Washington, DC, where they will join cancer advocates from all over the country in a day of visits to Representatives and Senators to promote improvements in cancer diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship. Riders from all over the country will be participating in other local Spokes of Hope events all leading up to the October 2, 2009, LIVESTRONG Day.

Currently, we are in the very early planning stages and this is your opportunity to help shape the event. We need people who can help locate an appropriate venue, contact potential sponsors, ride (or recruit riders), recruit participants in the kickoff event, and assist with other logistics. We are planning this as a small ride with the event focused on cancer diagnosis and survivorship. Please join Spokes of Hope LIVESTRONG Army Austin signup right now.

I attended the Smoke-free Texas rally at the Austin Capitol today.

I am a member of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network and a supporter/volunteer at the Lance Armstrong Foundation. I prepared by putting on a Vote Yellow shirt under a LIVESTRONG long sleeve shirt. Ready for whatever temperature Austin would choose.
Got there a bit early and chatted with LAF folks and my new friend Jon, who drove up from San Antonio for the rally, bicycle maintenance, and a visit to the LAF. A few opponents of the pair of bills (URLs for House 5 and Senate 544 to come later) showed up and positioned themselves to be in the background of media shots. Mostly Libertarian property rights rhetoric with one clueless “Go back to France Lance” poster.
Speakers included bill sponsors and talk was about how second hand smoke is a long term health risk and workers shouldn’t have to choose between their job and their health.
Lance went right before the wrap up and reiterated those messages. He made a huge impact on getting Prop 15 through the Texas legislature and ballot process. We need another spokesperson for this since Lance will be busy at the Giro in Italy as our legislative session draws to a close. I plan to actively advocate, but I’m not exactly as visible as Lance.
More here as the session goes on.
To support some of these efforts, you can donate to fight cancer and support my cancer survivor son’s insane bicycling plans.