The Lance Armstrong Foundation celebrated its ninth Ride for the Roses on Sunday, capping a weekend of events that helped raise money for and knowledge about cancer.
"It's a big celebration of the fundraising efforts of the past year," said Michelle Milford, a spokeswoman for the Lance Armstrong Foundation. "It is made up of people who live in all 50 states and all over the world. They raise spirits, funds and awareness about cancer in their own communities."
The ride drew 6,500 participants, who joined Lance Armstrong for a ride through the Austin Hill Country, said Milford. The ride began at the Travis County Exposition Center where riders chose from a range of courses ranging from seven to 100 miles. The foundation's fundraising campaign, the Peloton Project, raised more than $7 million this year, the most ever for the event. For the foundation as a whole, the amount of money raised has also increased.
"Well, it's changed a lot over the past couple of years. We have grown tremendously over the past couple years in part because of the yellow Livestrong wristband campaign," Milford said. "We have now sold approximately 56 million wristbands." The wristbands are sold on the foundation's site for $1 each.
Events began Friday with the opening of the Livestrong Village at the Palmer Events Center. Booths were set up and featured a specific aspect of the foundation or related activities. Displays ranged from cancer awareness and screenings, to cycling gear, artwork, sports apparel and other product demonstrations. One section of the village was dedicated to people who were affected directly by cancer. Yellow pieces of paper were hung from a curtain and had names of either survivors or victims of cancer. It was a symbolic remembrance of how cancer has changed lives, including Milford's. She said she has lost several family members and friends.
"It really is a great reminder to me of why I do the work that I do. I think most people at the LAF feel that way," Milford said. "Several cancer survivors work at the LAF. It's a cause that everyone can understand."
A children's event was held on Saturday at Auditorium Shores and featured an obstacle course and other games. The Austin Convention Center held a presentation on Saturday night of cancer survivors' stories, hosted by Sanjay Gupta, a CNN medical correspondent, and Armstrong, according to the foundation.
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