September 11, 2003
Eric Winer, MD, joins Lance Armstrong to spread message across 3,200 miles
Eric Winer, MD
After years of being inspired by the athletic exploits of cycling star and cancer survivor Lance Armstrong, Eric Winer, MD, of Dana-Farber is joining the five-time Tour de France champion on his latest ride: a week-long trek across the United States to increase awareness of cancer research and clinical trials.
Winer, director of DFCI's Breast Oncology Center, is one of 26 amateur cyclists chosen to accompany Armstrong and other professionals up mountains and across rivers during next month's 3,200-mile Tour of Hope.
The Los Angeles-to-Washington, D.C. ride, taking place Oct. 11-18, will publicize the importance of clinical research and benefit six cancer-related organizations through the Lance Armstrong Foundation (LAF). The world-renowned athlete established the foundation in 1997 to "enhance the quality of life for those living with, through, and beyond cancer" through research grants to Dana-Farber and many other institutions, national advocacy, and education about survivorship issues. The Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. is partnering with the LAF on the unprecedented journey.
"I'm excited about representing Dana-Farber as we pedal across the U.S.," says Winer, who has honed his cycling skills for the past six years in the Pan-Massachusetts Challenge (PMC) bike-a-thon. Team MORE WOW (for Men's Oncology Research Education and Women's Oncology on Wheels), the PMC squad he co-captains, has raised more than $1 million for research and patient care here the past three years.
"I hope the event as a whole and my involvement will help raise awareness about the importance of cancer research and clinical trials," Winer adds. "Clinical trial participation is how we move the field forward."
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Chosen from nearly 1,000 applicants, Winer and his fellow tour riders have all been deeply touched by cancer. Among the group are nine survivors, health-care professionals such as oncologists, nurses, researchers, and radiologists, and individuals who have lost immediate family members to the disease.
The team includes a hotel concierge, an attorney, and a flight paramedic. One participant is the parent of a Jimmy Fund Clinic patient who died from neuroblastoma last year, while another is a member of the U.S. Elite Paralympics Cycling Team who is hoping for a gold medal at the 2004 Paralympics in Athens. All told, the contingent ranges in age from 29 to 57 and represents 18 states.
"I owe my life to cancer research and all the patients before me," Armstrong said in describing the event. "We want to let people know that cancer research is worth the ride."
Big step up
Split up into four groups for both their training sessions and the tour, cyclists will ride in a 24-hour relay format. Each will need to put in two daily rides, averaging 20 miles per hour for three hours, for a total of up to 120 miles per day.
Lead and chase vehicles will be on the road with them at all times, as will professional guides. Joined by Armstrong at various points, riders will also have the chance to share their personal stories and discuss the importance of cancer research with media and fans along the route — including during speaking appearances at cancer centers.
It's a big step up from the two-day, 192-mile PMC rides Winer is used to, but the 46-year-old says he's ready for the test.
"This will be a real challenge for me; compared to most of the other riders — many of whom are racers — I have a lot less experience on a bike," says Winer. "But they're giving us great coaching, and I'll be spending a couple hours each day between now and early October getting ready."
While Winer is the only Dana-Farber staff member on the Tour of Hope squad, two other DFCI physicians were among the 50 finalists interviewed before the team was chosen: James DeCaprio, MD, of Medical Oncology, and Senior Vice President for Experimental Medicine Lee Nadler, MD. Bristol Myers Squibb has asked all finalists to join Armstrong, Winer, and other tour members for the first and/or last 100-kilometer (or 62.5-mile) legs of the ride, and DeCaprio and Nadler are both considering the invitation.
"We get to do all the fun stuff, and he gets to do all the work," jokes Nadler, adding that, "We plan to help Eric train as much as we can. It will be a great experience for him, and it's a terrific way of spreading the word."
The public can follow the team's progress, sponsor a rider, and learn more about the Tour of Hope and its participants at www.tourofhope.org.
