PRINCETON, N.J., Sept. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- The Bristol-Myers Squibb Tour of Hope(TM) Team will begin an eight-day, cross-country bike ride from the City of Hope Cancer Center, Los Angeles, on Thursday, Sept. 30. Cancer survivor and six-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong will be part of the evening’s festivities, including a community rally just hours before leaving with the team at midnight as they head toward the desert. Armstrong will also join the team at points along the way, making stops at cancer centers and participating in a grand finale event in Washington, DC on Oct. 9.
The team of 20 cyclists is comprised of cancer survivors, caregivers, researchers, nurses and physicians who will inspire and inform the public about the promise of cancer clinical trials and cancer research, and the need to work together as a country to help speed the search for a cancer cure.
“For more than 40 years, Bristol-Myers Squibb’s innovative cancer research and breakthrough oncology medicines have played key roles in helping our company fulfill its mission of extending and enhancing human life,” said Peter R. Dolan, chairman and chief executive officer, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company. “The inspiring stories of our incredibly determined Tour team members will undoubtedly motivate people across the country and the world to learn about the importance of clinical trials in cancer research and how we can all play a part in the fight against this disease.”
From Los Angeles, the Tour of Hope Team will ride down the glowing strip of Las Vegas, climb through the Colorado Rockies, pedal across America’s Heartland and ascend the Appalachian Mountains before arriving in the nation’s capital on Oct. 9. A recreational fundraising ride for cancer research will take place in Washington, DC followed by a grand finale event featuring Lance Armstrong, the Tour of Hope Team and other special guests.
THE ROUTE
Along the 3,500-mile journey, the public can support the Tour of Hope Team in various ways -- attending cancer center events, cheering the Team at public rallies and by sending messages of hope to the riders through http://www.tourofhope.org/. To find out if the Tour of Hope will be coming through your town or to track the progress of the team during the week, visit the Web site for a detailed look at the route map.
COMMUNITY CELEBRATIONS
Throughout the week, leading cancer centers will be hosting special Tour of Hope events featuring Lance Armstrong, team members, cancer community leaders and other special guests.
* Los Angeles/Thursday, Sept. 30 - City of Hope Cancer Center * Las Vegas, NV/Friday, Oct. 1 - The Nevada Cancer Institute, community rally at Treasure Island * Denver, CO/Monday, Oct. 4 - The University of Colorado Cancer Center, Aurora, CO, outdoor health festival and community rally * Chicago, IL/Wednesday, Oct. 6. - The Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University and the University of Chicago Cancer Research Center, outdoor health festival and community rally at Block 37 on State Street * Pittsburgh, PA/Friday, Oct. 8. - The Oncology Nursing Society (ONS), University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and West Penn Allegheny Health Systems, health festival and community rally at PNC Park HOPE RALLIES
Hope rallies will take place at various points across the country. These public rallies provide opportunities for the community to meet the Team members and hear stories about the impact of cancer research on their lives. Lance Armstrong will not attend the rallies.
** Please note that the public rally times may vary on the day of the scheduled event since the team will by cycling round-the-clock.**
Rallies will take place in: * Tusayan, AZ/Saturday, Oct. 2, Grand Canyon Village Shops between 11:15 a.m. and 1:15 p.m. * Durango, CO/Sunday, Oct. 3, Morehart Subaru between 6:15 a.m. and 8:15 a.m. * Lincoln, NE/Tuesday, Oct. 5, Bryan LGH East Hospital between 2:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. * Mason City, IA/Wednesday, Oct. 6, Mercy Cancer Center between 9:15 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. * Ossian, IA/Wednesday, Oct. 6, South Winneshiek Elementary School between 1:45 p.m. and 3:45 p.m. * Waterloo, WI/Wednesday, Oct. 6, Trek Bicycle between 9:30 p.m. and midnight * Wauseon, OH/Thursday, Oct. 7, Rainbow Oncology Center between 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. * Barberton, OH/Friday, Oct. 8, Barberton Hospital between 3:15 a.m. and 6:00 a.m.
The following organizations are supporting the Tour as partners: The ASCO Foundation, CancerCare, C-Change, Cancer Research and Prevention Foundation, the Coalition of National Cancer Cooperative Groups, Lance Armstrong Foundation, the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship and the Oncology Nursing Society.
The Bristol-Myers Squibb Tour of Hope is supported by the following sponsors who provide in-kind contributions: Dasani, Giro, Nike, Oakley, PowerBar, Shimano, Subaru, Trek, and the United States Postal Service.
Bristol-Myers Squibb is a global pharmaceutical and related health care products company whose mission is to extend and enhance human life.
Team members are from the following states: California (2), Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Maryland, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York (2), Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin.
Bristol-Myers Squibb
CONTACT: Kathy Baum, Bristol-Myers Squibb, +1-609-252-4227; or KellieHanzak, +1-202-955-6222
