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LIVESTRONG Day 2008

  

"While I Breathe, I Hope"
--One of South Carolina's two mottoes--

Last updated on Sunday, January 22, 2012

 

 South Carolinians Supporting the
Lance Armstrong Foundation Participate in Dreamnight 2010
Held from 6 to 9 p.m. at Riverbanks Zoo, Columbia, S.C.

Columbia, S.C.--South Carolinians Supporting the Lance Armstrong Foundation and 41 other businesses and organizations recently participated in Dreamnight 2010 at Riverbanks Zoo & Garden in Columbia, S.C.  Called "The 2010 Tropical Zoo-au," the event -- benefitting seriously ill children at Palmetto Health Children's Hospital in Columbia -- was held from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, June 4.

Dreamnnight is a global event, and 216 zoos and aquariums around the world celebrate it each year.

Riverbanks Zoo's Tropical Zoo-au welcomed the special guests.  The children and their families met interesting animals during their journey through the zoo.  They also relaxed, made friends, wiggled their toes in the sand, had a tropical treat, danced the hula and enjoyed all that Riverbanks has to offer.

South Carolinians Supporting the Lance Armstrong Foundation distributed literature provided by the LAF, recruited volunteers for South Carolinians Supporting the Lance Armstrong Foundation and sold yellow Livestrong wristbands to support the Lance Armstrong Foundation. 

2010 Vista Charity Nite Owl Ride Held
8 p.m. Fri., Sept. 17 to 8 a.m. Sat., Sept. 18
 Cyclists Ride 2.2-Mile Course That Loops Around the "East Vista" in Columbia, Crosses the
Historic Gervais Street Bridge and Loops Around the "West Vista" in West Columbia;
Between 7 and 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 17, a Run and Walk Kicks-Off This Second Annual Fundraising Event

CHECK HERE TO LEARN MORE.

 Kickin' Cancer Nite Owl Ride
From Columbia to West Columbia, Across the Gervais Street Bridge
Benefitting Children's Chance and the Lance Armstrong Foundation
Held 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 11 to 8 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 12, 2009

Columbia, S.C.--Seventy-four cyclists registered and participated in the Kickin' Cancer Nite Owl Ride, held from 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 11 to 8 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 12.  But only nine of them completed the grueling, 12-hour ride that looped around the "East Vista" in Columbia across the historic Gervais Street Bridge and around the "West Vista" in West Columbia.

Moments before the start of this year's Kickin' Cancer Nite Owl Ride, Brian Curran (center foreground), owner of Outspokin' Bicycles and USC's Cocky, pause for this picture.  (Photos by Morgan Photography)

Shortly after the start of the Kickin' Cancer Nite Owl Ride, John Green (right), owner of the Cycle Center, waves as he and other cyclists head east across the Gervais Street Bridge toward Columbia.

Dave Behrens won this year's 1st Place Award for Most Mileage, racking up 184.23 miles.  Mike Guidotti won 2nd Place for Most Mileage, trailing closely behind Behrens with 180.9 miles.  Vincent Flores won 3rd Place for Most Mileage, completing 168.0 miles.  Receiving awards for having the most riders were:  Cycle Center, 1st Place; Tri-City Cyclers, 2nd Place; and Sumter Easy Rider & Chain Gang, 3rd Place.

Opening festivities were held from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 11, at 300 Senate at the Canal.

Dupre Catering and Events was the cycleathon's title sponsor, and Outspokin' Bicycles, located at 3223 Devine St. in Columbia, was the event's key supporter.

Supporters of this year's Kickin' Cancer Nite Owl Ride included:  All 74 cyclists; Dupre Purcival, owner, and Bobby Percival and Michelle Forrest of Dupre Catering and Events; Brian Curran, owner of Outspokin' Bicycles; Gerry Lynn Hall of Bike Columbia; Stuart Morgan, leader of LIVESTRONG ARMY South Carolina; Morgan Photography; Michael Byrd, director, Lt. Dave Flannery and George Rice of Richland County EMS; Leighton Lord, managing partner, Nexsen Pruet, LLC; Sgt. John Norman, West Columbia Police Department; Sgt. Taurus Sanders, City of Columbia Police Department; City of Columbia; City of West Columbia; S.C. Department of Transportation; Chris Kemp, cyclist and volunteer; Chase Cothran, volunteer; Board of Directors of Children's Chance; Aflac, rest stop tent sponsor; St. Andrews Kiwanis Club, rest stop tent sponsor; National Guard; U.S. Army; a USC Sorority; 300 Senate at the Canal; the Blue Martini; Professional Printers; Dick's Sporting Goods (Harbison Blvd.); Southeastern Institute (formerly Southeastern School of Neuromuscular Message); and Sports Trophies. 

Vendors and performers supporting this year's event included:  Joyfulheart; Ray Hardee; Zig the Pig; American Income Life; Obraskai; Richland County Sheriff's Department's Kidprint; USC's Cocky; Examining Emma; New Third; and Best Buy.

This cycleathon was initiated and coordinated by South Carolina Supporters of the Lance Armstrong Foundation, an all-volunteer group.  Funding and organizing this year's event was Children's Chance, the nonprofit organization (501-C-3), established on Sept. 25, 1996 to assist children with cancer and their families in South Carolina with non medical needs.

Participants, who donated money to the Lance Armstrong Foundation, received yellow LIVESTRONG wristbands.  Donors also wrote their names, or the names of loved ones affected by Cancer, on yellow paper links.  South Carolina Supporters of the Lance Armstrong Foundation connected the links to create a HOPE Chain, which will be displayed at 300 Senate at the Canal.  The HOPE Chain is visible in some of the photos at right.

To volunteer as a Supporter of the Lance Armstrong Foundation and help organize future events, please go to the link (top-right) and contact us.  Or, call Stuart Morgan at (803) 465-1975.  We would appreciate having the opportunity to talk with you.

For more information about this year's Kickin' Cancer Nite Owl Ride, please visit www.childrenschance.org. 
 

Dave Behrens (center), who racked up a total of 184.23 miles on the 2.3-mile course, receives the top award for accumulating the most mileage during this year's Kickin' Cancer Nite Owl Ride.  Presenting the award are Brian Curran (left), owner of Outspokin', and Gerry Lynn Hall of Bike Columbia.

A thick mist rolls over the Congaree River and through the historic Gervais Street Bridge at twilight.  (Photo by Stuart Morgan, www.MorganPhotography.ws)

John Green (center), owner of Cycle Center and a major sponsor of this year's Kickin' Cancer Nite Owl Ride, accepts the top award for having the most team members.

Before starting the 12-hour Kickin' Cancer Nite Owl Ride, Brian Curran, owner of Outspokin' Bicycles, explains the rules of the course, encouraging cyclists to ride safely during the ride and to be considerate of other cyclists.

Brad Jones (center) of Tri-City Cyclers accepts the 2nd Place Award for having the most team members.

Cheryl Cromwell and fellow team mate, Kathy Cromwell (center, wearing hellow and black) of Sumter Easy Rider and Chain Gang, accept the 3rd Place Award for having the most team members.
   

Top Nite Owl Riders

FIRST PLACE NITE OWL RIDER--At 6:58 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 12 as the sun rises in the background, Dave Behrens heads west across the Gervais Street Bridge toward West Columbia as he approaches the end of the 12-hour-long Kickin' Cancer Nite Owl Ride.  He would rack-up a total of 184.23 miles to win this year's top award for riding the most miles.

SECOND PLACE NITE OWL RIDER--At 7:12 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 12, Mike Guidotti heads east across the bridge toward Columbia as he approaches the end of the 12-hour-long Kickin' Cancer Nite Owl Ride.  He would rack-up a total of 180.9 miles to win this year's 2nd Place Award for riding the most miles.

THIRD PLACE NITE OWL RIDER--At 7:17 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 12 moments after the lights on the Gervais Street Bridge turn -off, Vincent Flores heads west across across the Gervais Street Bridge toward Columbia.  He would rack up a total of 168 miles to win this year's 3rd Place Award for riding the most miles. (Photos by Morgan Photography)

 South Carolina Supporters of the LAF
Raise Cancer Awareness, Create Hope Chain on
LIVESTRONG Day 2008
 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, May 13, 2008, South Carolina State House, Columbia

South Carolina supporters of the Lance Armstrong Foundation raised cancer awareness and created a HOPE Chain from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesday, May 13, 2008 in front of the S.C. State House.  Kathryn Fitzpatrick, grassroots advocacy, Lance Armstrong Foundation, flew in from Austin, Texas to help Stuart Morgan, leader of South Carolinians Supporting the Lance Armstrong Foundation, host the event.

Morgan, who also serves as secretary of Children's Chance, and Samantha Higgins, public relations director for Children's Chance, were interviewed on WMFX-FM Fox 102 the week before LIVESTRONG Day.  During the interview, which aired Sunday morning, May 11, Morgan explained the purpose of LIVESTRONG Day and why the day was an important one for residents of South Carolina.  Higgins explained the purpose of Children's Chance, a nonprofit organization that supports families in South Carolina facing pediatric cancer.

"Cancer is the second leading cause of death in South Carolina, and more than 21,000 residents of this state were diagnosed with cancer during 2007," Morgan said.  "And if these figures don't catch your attention, perhaps these will:  You have a one in three chance of being diagnosed with cancer in your lifetime if you're a female, and a one in two chance of being diagnosed with cancer in your lifetime if you're a male.  In fact, three out of four Americans will be caring for a family member diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime.

"I'm proud that Governor Mark Sanford proclaimed May 13, 2008 as LIVESTRONG Day, and that our governor encouraged South Carolinians to work together to increase awareness of all cancers and to promote continued research into the causes and cure of cancer," Morgan added.  "I'm also proud that the South Carolina House of Representatives recognized and honored South Carolina supporters of the Lance Armstrong Foundation that are working hard to increase cancer awareness and raise funds to help the Lance Armstrong Foundation fight the war on cancer."

South Carolinians Supporting the Lance Armstrong Foundation recruited eight volunteers, and accepted donations to create a HOPE Chain in honor of anyone affected by cancer.  Immediately after the event, the Dick's Sporting Goods store located off Harbison Boulevard in Columbia displayed the yellow chain in its LIVESTRONG apparel section.  Dick's donates all profits from the sale of LIVESTRONG apparel to the Lance Armstrong Foundation.  As of May 2008, Dick's corporate headquarters reported that Dick's had donated more than $250,000 to the Lance Armstrong Foundation so far.

Jamie Baker, manager of the local Dick's store, draped the HOPE Chain from the women's LIVESTRONG apparel section across the store's main aisle through a section of the store's ceiling and back down to the men's LIVESTRONG apparel section.  Baker also agreed to continue accepting donations for the HOPE Chain and to continue adding links to the chain for donations.  All donations will support the Lance Armstrong Foundation's fight against cancer. 

South Carolinians Supporting the Lance Armstrong Foundation recently presented Baker with a framed copy of Gov. Sanford's proclamation for LIVESTRONG Day 2008 and a letter of appreciation (including two photos) explaining the key role Dick's Sporting Goods played on May 13, 2008. 

South Carolinians Supporting the Lance Armstrong Foundation raise cancer awareness and funds to support the Lance Armstrong Foundation from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, May 13 in front of the S.C. State House.  Shortly after 11 a.m., Rep. Chip Huggins (Lexington) visited to present a House Resolution to South Carolinians Supporting the Lance Armstrong Foundation recognizing LIVESTRONG Day and honoring the efforts of all of the volunteers supporting the event. 


Haden Davis, cyclist and volunteer, and Stuart Morgan, event organizer and grassroots leader (volunteer) for the Lance Armstrong Foundation


A donor signs the name of someone affected by cancer on one of the links, which formed the HOPE Chain.


Stuart Morgan and Kathryn Fitzpatrick, Grassroots Advocacy, Lance Armstrong Foundation

The hero of LIVESTRONG Day 2008 was Jamie Baker, manager of Dick's Sporting Goods, Harbison Boulevard, Columbia.  He received two gifts for his role.  (See below)

The above photo of South Carolinians Supporting the Lance Armstrong Foundation, taken by a representative of the Lance Armstrong Foundation during last year's LIVESTRONG Day Event, was used as the masthead for the June 2009 Issue of LIVESTRONG Leader.  Click here to see that masthead.

For South Carolinians Supporting the Lance Armstrong Foundation, the manager of the Dick's Sporting Goods store, Harbison Boulevard, Columbia, became LIVESTRONG Day's hero.  He proudly accepted the opportunity to show the HOPE Chain that South Carolinians Supporting the Lance Armstrong Foundation created in front of the State House honoring anyone affected by cancer.  Approximately 100 names were added to the HOPE Chain on May 13, 2008.  But the store, thanks to Mr. Baker, will continue to accept donations to add more links to the HOPE Chain.