Maricopa selected as Tour of Hope’s only Arizona rally point

The 2005 Tour of Hope Bike Team will make Maricopa their first rally point this Friday, September 30, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Maricopa High School softball field.

Everyone knows about Lance Armstrong‘s record-breaking seven Tour de France wins, yet his greatest victory has been his recovery from advanced testicular cancer that spread to both his lungs and his brain. Beating cancer led Armstrong to found the Lance Armstrong Foundation for cancer awareness and to sponsor the Tour of Hope National Bike Tour.

Twenty-four riders will cover approximately 100 miles per day, beginning in San Diego. From Maricopa, the tour goes to New Mexico, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, the Carolinas, Virginia and Maryland, ending on October 8 at the White House Ellipse in Washington, D. C. in a finale led by Armstrong. Bristol-Myers Squibb Health Company sponsors the nine-day tour, which covers 3,300 miles.

This year’s team was selected from a field of 1,100 applicants. Riders must be cancer survivors, caretakers, healthcare professionals or Bristol-Myers employees.

Scott Perelstein, the lone Arizona rider, is a testicular cancer survivor. In 1999 after hearing Armstrong tell his story on the Letterman Show, Perelstein performed his own self-exam and found a tumor. Riding in the Tour of Hope is a payback to others for what Armstrong’s message did for him, according to Perelstein. Today this father of two sons is cancer free.

Maricopa School District’s Activities Director Rich Ralstin and high school social studies instructor Jack Toohey are the local event’s organizers. According to Ralstin, “I don’t know how we got chosen as the first rally point, but I’m glad we did.”

Maricopa students will welcome the riders, and the Maricopa High School band and cheerleaders will perform. A form will be available for attendees to sign, asking Congress for increased funds to support cancer research.

“We will be having cancer survivors from Maricopa speaking, Jim Cooper, Nate Scott, Katie Oldfield and maybe others,” explained Ralstin. “My expectations are for a good turnout to support cancer research. This is all about Lance Armstrong’s work.”

Lance Armstrong “Live Strong” wristbands will be available for purchase at Friday’s rally.

Tents for shade, chairs and bottled water donated by Dasanti will be provided. “Live Strong” wristbands will be available for $1, and Lance “fans” will be given away. A raffle for two bicycles will take place during Friday’s event.

Cancer affects families, friends, co-workers and acquaintances. Maricopa’s Tour of Hope rally this Friday is an opportunity to spread the word about cancer awareness as well as to support the need for increased research and its funding.

For additional information about the Maricopa rally, contact Ralstin online or at (520) 568-5100.