Bill Oliver

I am grateful for the treatment 20 years ago that gave me a second chance at life; I am also appreciative of the support my family and I received during that difficult time. As President of AT&T Louisiana, I am proud to support Tour de Lis and its efforts to assist cancer patients in the Greater New Orleans area.

Mike and Kim Sport

Mike and Kim Sport are both grateful beneficiaries of cancer research and state of the art cancer care and treatment. Kim was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2001 and underwent numerous surgeries, chemotherapy and radiation treatments which ended in 2002. Kim and Mike breathed a sigh of relief when an additional surgery and biopsy proved negative in the summer of 2003; however, they learned only weeks later that Mike had prostate cancer and required surgery and radiation therapy. A local oncologist informed them that he had never in his many years of practice had a husband and wife as cancer patients at the same time.

For the next five years, Kim and Mike lived life to the fullest, retiring from “paid work”, volunteering to numerous non-profits in the Greater New Orleans Area, and spending time with family and friends, especially their six grandchildren. The unthinkable occurred in November 2008 when Kim was again diagnosed with breast cancer, resulting in a bilateral mastectomy and reconstructive surgery.

The 2009 Tour de Lis is especially meaningful for Kim and Mike. “We are so fortunate to have had access to the best cancer care providers and treatments available today and to have been surrounded by an incredible support team of family and friends. Thanks to the Tour de Lis, others with lesser means in our community will experience equal access and support as they too fight and ultimately overcome cancer.”

Courtney Clark

As a cancer survivor, Planet Cancer member and employee, and novice cyclist, the 2008 Tour de Lis was an amazing experience. I was both deeply moved and energized to be surrounded by a community of individuals all committed to wiping out cancer. The Tour de Lis’ support of Planet Cancer programs is helping us reach more young adults with cancer in the years to come, and advocate on their behalf in the medical community to finally improve survival rates. In 2009, we are expanding our nationwide retreat program, launching new awareness campaigns in hospitals, and the Tour de Lis is playing a huge role in that growth. Because of the personal investment of so many committed individuals, the Tour de Lis is a not-to-be-missed experience if you want to be a part of the Beat Cancer machine. I look forward to seeing all of you in April 2009!

Betsie Gambel

About 15 years ago I began training for the National MS Society’s Tour for Cure in honor of a dear friend who suffers with MS. Little did I know that my bike riding would take me thousands of miles to a personal journey. In January 2006, just a few months after Hurricane Katrina, I was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma and spent six months at MD Anderson Cancel Center. Due to the generosity and support of so many, I am doing great! Please join me in pedaling for a cure in Tour de Lis, a new fundraiser dedicated to helping cancer patients. Dust off your bike, grab a helmet, and know that your efforts will touch people like me in their fight for hope.

Tommy Usdin

When my mother contracted cancer a number of years ago, we were embarking on a journey that was unfamiliar to all of us. Everybody in the immediate family yearned to provide support that would take her pain and, by some miracle, her sickness away. She had always occupied the nurturing role for all of us. In the end, it did not work out that any of us could give her any more than our full love and devotion. She, for her part, gave us one last point of pride in the way she handled her illness. She exhibited courage and appreciation for all her gifts throughout her life and with no resentment that she had been confronted with the thin reed that seperates us all from sickness and health.

Mindy Caplan

Cancer has touched my life too many times. It is evident that although the patient has the illness, the entire family is affected by the disease. Both my parents as well as more than a few friends have died from cancer. I myself have the markers for a blood cancer and get checked every 6 months. What gives me hope, is that with time and money, dedicated researchers will come up with new and better treatments for the disease. It is imperative that we all do what we can to raise awareness and join forces to eradicate cancer.

Jessica Deutsch

I’ll ride Tour de Lis for my friend who fought for every step she took in her cancer battle. If I ride a thousand loops around the lake I might begin to match her courage. I will ride Tour de Lis to honor her memory. My brother lives with cancer so all of us who love him do, too. He has taken it on with a kind of bravery that you can’t help but find inspiring. He makes us strong. We’ll be proud to ride the Tour de Lis with him.

Brent Barrierre and Judy Barrasso, Co-Chairs

“The Tour de Lis annual fundraising bike ride and run helps fund a wide variety of much needed personal services for cancer patients and their families. We both are well aware of the tremendous need for these services . We are thrilled to be associated with Tour de Lis and look forward to a successful ride and run for cancer patients and their families!”

Josh & Abby Lipschutz, Inspiration

We had been married less than three weeks when we entered the oncologists office holding hands and starry-eyed, having just returned days ago from our honeymoon. Battling brain cancer certainly wasn’t what we bargained for in our first year of marriage, but leaning on the strength of our love and friendship, we have been able to take it on with a vengeance. We are partners in this battle and in the survival of each day. At first, we felt quite isolated, from not only our friends, but also from the cancer community as we experienced it. Everyone dealing with cancer appeared to be our parents’ age or older. Where were the young people? And not the pediatric cases, but the young adults? We were just not represented. And because of that we felt alone. It wasn’t until we discovered Planet Cancer that we find a place where we felt understood and comfortable speaking about the issues we were dealing with. We were fortunate to attend the first retreat in the country for young couples facing cancer together, thanks to Planet Cancer. It allowed us to share with other young couples and find a little humor in a scary time. We want Planet Cancer to reach every one in their 20s and 30s battling cancer and we ride in Tour de Lis to help support their unique mission. We are grateful for their mission.

Mullady Voelker, Co-Chair

I am proud to be involved in an organization whose purpose is to assist individuals personally fighting the battle against cancer. Cancer strikes indiscriminately, and only through our collective energy and efforts are we able to draw enough strength to beat this disease.

Mickey Allweiss, Founding Member, Original Rider

I lost my closest childhood friend to cancer when he was only 24. I lost my father when he was still a young man. I think of them often. The Tour de Lis gives me the opportunity to do something I love while both honoring those who lost their fight and hoping that we will play some small part in preventing more losses in the future.

Carol Asher, Founder & President, Tour de Lis

Tour de Lis has been a labor of love for me. We founded Tour de Lis because of that love for my cousin Josh and his new wife Abby when less than a month after their marriage, they got the news that Josh had brain cancer. That was over 4 years ago. Josh’s consistent positive attitude, emotional strength and voice for survivorship is the inspiration that drives me to be involved in Tour de Lis as we fight to improve the lives of people affected by cancer.

I’ll participate in the 5k race in memory of my Mom who lost her life’s battle to Ovarian Cancer and for my brother in law, Joe and countless friends who are survivors of this horrific disease. They, along with Josh are all my heroes. Tour de Lis is about KNOWLEDGE, SUPPORT, HOPE and OPTIMISM. Please join me on April 9th for Tour de Lis 2011.

Harold Asher, Founder and Original Rider

Tour de Lis and LiveStrong are a powerful combination of passion and a relentless pursuit of a better day.

Bill Schwartz, Founding Member, Original Rider

I took up road cycling for the exercise and for the physical release it provides. Tour de Lis appeals to all level of riders and raises funds for cancer survivor groups. My inspiration for this cause comes from the many close family members, good friends, and acquaintances who have undergone treatment for cancer and are survivors or are now undergoing treatment. Tour de Lis is truly inspirationa—you ask people to pledge to support your ride by their financial contribution, and you learn about their family & friends who have had cancer. We hope that through Tour de Lis we can make a difference for those affected by cancer and who need our support.

Doug Thornton, Founding Member, Original Rider

I normally ride for fun, but I do this for a purpose.