Canyon Ranch Institute (CRI) formed a partnership with the Lance Armstrong Foundation (LAF) in January 2008 focused on cancer prevention and survivorship and on making cancer a national priority. Each year, approximately 1.4 million Americans are diagnosed with cancer and an estimated 560,000 will die from the disease.
Cancer is the number one killer of Americans under the age of 85.1
Today, we have a better understanding of how cancer works and have developed tools for better screening, diagnosis, and treatment. However, more people are affected by cancer than ever before. CRI and the LAF recognize the opportunity to bring together the right resources to re-engage the fight against cancer.
The LAF unites people through programs and experiences to empower cancer survivors to live life on their own terms and to raise awareness and funds for the fight against cancer. The LAF focuses on cancer prevention, access to screening and care, research and quality of life for cancer survivors. Founded in 1997 by cancer survivor and champion cyclist Lance Armstrong, the LAF has raised more than $250 million for the fight against cancer. To join 60 million LIVESTRONG wristband wearers and help make cancer a national priority, unite and fight cancer at LIVESTRONG.org.
Working together, CRI and LAF have initiated several programs.
In 2008, the CRI-LAF Partnership reached out to previous U.S. Surgeons General to develop an evidence-based National Call to Action. Using their combined expertise and access to the best available science, innovations and best practices in disease prevention and health promotion, the U.S. Surgeons General collaborated with the cancer prevention and survivorship community to develop the National Call to Action on Cancer Prevention and Survivorship. The National Call to Action outlines a battle plan in the new war on cancer and serves as a roadmap for all Americans – including cancer survivors, health care professionals, policymakers, employers, educators, insurers, and scientists – to identify the best strategies for cancer prevention and survivorship and make both cancer prevention and survivorship a national priority.
In 2009, the CRI-LAF partnership held the first-ever CRI LIVESTRONG Week at Canyon Ranch. During the week, Canyon Ranch guests and 12 CRI LIVESTRONG Fellows had the opportunity to attend more than 30 health and wellness activities and lectures that were particularly relevant to anyone interested in cancer prevention and survivorship.
One highlight of the week was a special CRI LIVESTRONG Day Celebration on the Canyon Ranch and CRI campus in Tuscon, AZ. The CRI LIVESTRONG Day Celebration featured live and silent auctions, a taste of the world-renowned Canyon Ranch resort environment including Canyon Ranch cuisine by award-winning Canyon Ranch Corporate Chef Scott Uehlein, and live music.
Potential next steps: This partnership will continue to collaborate with the U.S. Surgeons General to share the best available science in cancer prevention and survivorship to re-engage the fight against cancer. The partnership is also considering other joint projects focused on cancer prevention and survivorship.
Learn More:
- View photos from the CRI LIVESTRONG Day Celebration at Canyon Ranch
- View photos of the Fellows' experiences during LIVESTRONG Week
- Read more about the first-ever CRI LIVESTRONG Week
- Read more about the first group of CRI LIVESTRONG Fellows
- Read about the CRI LIVESTRONG Day Celebration
- Read the LIVESTRONG blog entry about CRI LIVESTRONG Week at Canyon Ranch
- Learn more about the National Call to Action on Cancer Prevention and Survivorship
Partnership Resources:
- Listen to CRI Strategic Programs Manager Jan McIntire deliver a cancer prevention message on behalf of Canyon Ranch Institute and the Lance Armstrong Foundation. This message is airing on radio stations in the greater Tucson area.
- Click here to view details from the press conference on July 23, 2008, announcing the National Call to Action on Cancer Prevention and Survivorship.
- Click here to view more information on the National Call to Action on Cancer Prevention and Survivorship, including important documents, community development information, and background materials.
- Click here to view details from the event on January 18, 2008, announcing the CRI and LAF partnership and the creation of a national strategy to combat cancer.
- Click here to visit the Lance Armstrong Foundation's website.
1 American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts & Figures 2008. Atlanta: American Cancer Society; 2008.
