Cancer patient inspired to follow Armstrong to the Tour de France

Seattle Cancer Treatment and Wellness Center patient Ric Landvatter feels a special connection to professional cyclist and cancer survivor, Lance Armstrong.

"It may sound strange, but my cancer was a gift," he explains. Landvatter was diagnosed with prostate-to-bone cancer in 2006. His doctor at the time said he would start treatment and "see how long you last," giving him about 2 years to live.

Landvatter's strong faith and will to live led him to the Seattle Cancer Treatment and Wellness Center and Dr's Nick Chen and Mark Gignac. Through their partnership, Landvatter heard something different. "They told me there is no date," he smiles. "With hope, you can start to see the future, keep planning, instead of looking at the date ahead that's supposed to be the end."

Three years later, while still successfully fighting his battle against prostate cancer, Landvatter says he feels tremendous peace and truly wants to share his joy for life with others.

That's why, in addition to numerous speaking engagements in his community of Mount Vernon, Landvatter and friends will follow Lance Armstrong's comeback from retirement to compete in the Tour de France, July 2009.

This time, according to www.livestrong.com, Armstrong is racing for more than another Tour Title. His main priority is a campaign to build worldwide awareness of cancer research, treatment and prevention.

Landvatter and his friends, alongside thousands of cancer survivors around the world, will be there to cheer him on. They've generated so much interest that they now have sponsors and a website to chronicle the race from a survivor's point of view. Their biggest hope is to meet Armstrong in person and thank him for his inspiration. "I'm living for today," Landvatter says of the upcoming trip overseas.

To read more about Ric Landvatter's adventures with this year's Tour de France, including journal entries and live feeds, visit his website at www.fourletour.com.
 
 
 

Seattle Cancer Treatment and Wellness Center is an affiliate of Cancer Treatment Centers of America, a network of hospitals that integrate oncology with complementary and natural therapies. For more information and cancer-fighting tips, call (206) FOR HOPE (367-4673) or visit www.seattlecancerwellness.com.