First there were yellow wristbands, with the cool and influential Livestrong imprinted upon them. Then, there were hundreds of colored bands for every cause in the world. But Livestrong remains the king. Champion cyclist Lance Armstrong founded the non-profit organization Lance Armstrong Foundation in 1997 after his own bout with cancer. It focuses on cancer prevention, access to screening and care, research and quality of life for cancer survivors.
On Tuesday, May 13, Wood River Valley resident and cancer advocate Kristine Bretall will host Livestrong Day Ketchum, to benefit the Lance Armstrong Foundation.
The event is one of more than 400 local Livestrong Day events to be held in 44 states and six countries to "engage communities with experiences that increase awareness and show support for cancer survivors and their loved ones," Bretall said.
The Ketchum event will involve a number of activities. There will be a group ride, a cruiser criterium, a kids' criterium, live music with The Damphools, food from Mahoney's Bar and Grill and Tony's Ice Cream, refreshment and drinks.
Starting at 5:15 p.m., the group ride will meet at Ketchum's Forest Service Park and will head north to the SNRA, at mile marker 136.2, approximately seven miles north of Ketchum. At 6:45 p.m. riders will regroup at the Forest Service Park for a fun costumed cruiser criterium with everyone encouraged to play along.
There will be a kids' two-lap cruiser and a four-lap adults' cruiser.
An "elite cruiser" criterium of six laps for those who really want to race on their cruisers will follow. The entry for all or any of these events is a donation to the Lance Armstrong Foundation.
Pledge forms are available in advance online and will be at the event too. People may participate as individuals or teams. Those who pledge online or turn in their forms at the Sun Valley Center for the Arts, attention Kristine Bretall, on or before May 12 will receive double the raffle tickets of those who enter on May 13.
"I'm participating in Livestrong Day because of my friends and family who have been affected by cancer," Bretall said. "My New Year's resolution was to do something about cancer because it's frustrating to me how many people I know who are affected. As Lance Armstrong said, 'Take to the streets on a bike or on your feet, and unite with others who want to pick a fight with cancer. I personally am ready to pick a fight with cancer. I've had it.' I know that so many people in the Wood River Valley have been hit, and I'd love to give everyone an opportunity to support their friends and family and to feel that they are doing something to fight this disease."
Participants may register to vote at the event, volunteer to help organize kids, a class at school or a team at work.
"My main focus is to have fun with this event," Bretall said. "I'd love for people to wear yellow to support those with cancer, ride with us, come on out and listen to the music. Kearns McGinnis and Vandenberg Builders generously jumped in early and covered related expenses so every penny donated can go to the Lance Armstrong Foundation."
Nouveau Beverage is donating refreshments, and both Scott and Smith donated a bike each as raffle prizes. Other prizes include Twin Six cycling gear, Allsop gear, spa treatment at 24/7 Skincare, Atlas snowshoes with telescopic poles and Frenchman's Bend Wine.
Donations can be made directly online to the Livestrong Day Ketchum event at Livestrong.org/grassroots2008/ketchum.
The Lance Armstrong Foundation has raised more than $250 million for the fight against cancer. This Tuesday, join the more than 60 million Livestrong wristband wearers and help make cancer a national priority.
For more information on Livestrong Day Ketchum, contact Bretall at 720-‐8913 or kbretall@sunvalleycenter.org.
LIVESTRONG bike riders head out on a group ride. Photo by
