Breakaway from Cancer® Champion
During the Amgen Tour of California (May 13-20, 2012), a
local cancer survivor, patient, caregiver, or advocate will
be named Breakaway from Cancer Champions for making a
difference within their community and inspiring others.
Breakaway from Cancer Champions will be granted
special access to the 2012 Amgen Tour of California, be
recognized on stage, and lead the Breakaway Mile through
their community. Sponsored by Amgen, the Breakaway Mile takes
place at the finish line of the Amgen Tour of California to
honor the millions of cancer survivors worldwide.
A public call for nominations was issued to five of the 2012
Amgen Tour of California communities, including Santa Rosa, Livermore, Clovis, and Los Angeles.
Our judging committee then narrowed the field to two to three finalists
per host city.
Voting for the Breakaway from Cancer Champion was opened to the public from April 13 to
April 24 to select our winners. We are pleased to present the
2012 Champions below. Please read each of their stories and
join us as we honor them in their communities during the
Amgen Tour of California.
Marc Van Riper, Santa Rosa, CA, Stage 1: Santa Rosa
In 2010 Marc Van Riper's wife, Kathy, lost her 10 year battle with cancer, a battle that Marc, Kathy and their two children fought as a tight family unit. In the beginning of Kathy's fight, she and Marc quickly learned that while there were many support resources for cancer patients and caregivers, there were limited options for children of cancer patients. Given that, Kathy and Marc were inspired to form Kathy's Camp for Kids, a nonprofit organization dedicated to meeting the needs of children of cancer patients. For children, their parents' initial diagnosis is often followed by an extended period of fear, confusion, unanswered questions, and worry that their parent and even their childhood will be taken from them. Kathy's Camp for Kids is a place where fear of cancer is replaced with fun, friendship, and encouragement. Since Kathy's passing, Marc has more determination than ever and has strengthened his commitment to continue the pledge that he and Kathy took to supply the much-needed support for children that are traveling down a path much like the path their own children have endured.
Bob Hammer, Livermore, CA, Stage 3: Livermore
Bob Hammer is a two-time testicular cancer survivor. During his second bout with cancer, he raised money for the Lance Armstrong Foundation and met Lance and Lance's oncologist, Dr. Nichols, in Texas. This was one week before he was set to have surgery at Stanford, which would have left him unable to have more children. Dr. Nichols suggested he not have the surgery, and Bob listened and pursued a different treatment route. Bob and his wife, Kim, naturally conceived their second child one year later. In an effort to give back, Bob started the "Have a Ball" Foundation in 2005. The foundation has raised more than $1,000,000 since its start and it benefits 20 cancer organizations, sends kids with cancer to camps, and has established and granted scholarships for oncology students.
Susan Mott, Clovis, CA, Stage 4: Clovis
On June 3, 2011, Susan's life changed forever when her 20-month-old granddaughter, Madyn, was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Susan immediately set out to educate herself about the disease and how she could best support Madyn and her family. During this search, Susan discovered the local Clovis Leukemia and Lymphoma Society chapter and its fundraising opportunities. Immediately, she decided to form a team to participate in the annual Light the Night walk in Madyn's name. As the team captain, Susan rallied her friends, family, and co-workers to form Team Madyn, the largest team to ever participate in the chapter's walk. In October 2011, 100 people walked and raised more than $20,000 in Madyn's name. Also in October, Susan organized a fundraiser through a local restaurant; 180 dinner tickets were sold, resulting in $1300 raised for Team Madyn. During treatment, Madyn has needed blood transfusions and platelets many times, and two blood drives were held in Madyns name. For the blood drives, Susan worked to solicit donors and acted as hostess and greeter at the events, which resulted in 140 pints of blood donated to the Central California Blood Bank to help meet the needs of all patients. Susan's passion to raise funds to help find a cure and to support blood cancer patients has also spread into the elementary school community where she teaches. Her school is involved in raising money through the Pennies for Patients program this Spring. Madyn's diagnosis has led Susan to act as a tireless advocate for awareness and fundraising for blood cancers.
Danielle McLaughlin, Los Angeles, CA, Stage 8: Los Angeles
In 2003 at age 17, Danielle McLaughlin was diagnosed with synovial sarcoma. Less than one year later, she had a recurrence in her left foot, and several weeks before her 18th birthday and the beginning of her senior year of high school she had her left foot amputated. Danielle was devastated but promised herself she would overcome it. She is very passionate about her involvement in the Cancer Community in Los Angeles as well as her participation as an athlete representative for Challenged Athletes Foundation in Southern California. Because of the lonely and isolated feelings she had as a young adult dealing with cancer, Danielle helped re-invigorate a Young Adult Support Group at The Wellness Community (now Cancer Support Community- Benjamin Center). And, at USC Keck Medical Center, she has been a member of the Cancer Survivorship Advisory Council since April 2010, where as the youngest member of the group, she works to communicate the needs facing adolescent and young cancer survivors to hospital administrators, doctors and nurses She has been invited several times to speak to medical students at USC and finds this to be a learning experience for both her and the students.In addition to her work advocating for young adults with cancer, Danielle is a paratriathlete and is currently the National and World Paratriathlon Champion for Female Below- Knee Amputees.
Eligibility
Healthcare professionals and employees of Amgen, AEG, Medalist Sports, Prevent Cancer Foundation, Cancer Support Community, Patient Advocate Foundation, and National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship are not eligible.
Judging
Judging to narrow the field to three finalists per host city
community was based on positive community impact (50%) and
the inspirational nature of the nominee's story (50%).
Selection of finalists was conducted by a committee comprised
of Amgen's Director of Advocacy, AEG Cycling Managing
Director, one leader each from Prevent Cancer Foundation,
Cancer Support Community, Patient Advocate Foundation and
National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship and one member of
each host city Local Organizing Committee.
From April 13 - April 24, online voting took place to select
the Breakaway from Cancer Champion in each community.
