Happy LIVESTRONG Day from beautiful San Jose, CA! This city is pumped up for LIVESTRONG Day…so much so that the Mayor Chuck Reed officially declared it LIVESTRONG Day during their city council meeting this afternoon. I had the honor of joining long time LAF volunteer Linda Santos as she received a plaque commemorating the proclamation. Linda’s life has been heavily impacted by this devastating disease, having lost both of her parents and her beloved sister 6 years ago. When her sister passed away, Linda summoned the courage to board a plane to Austin Texas to volunteer for the Ride for the Roses. The event and people she met in Austin made quite an impact on her, so much so that she has been back to volunteer in Austin each year for the past 6 years. This year we’re bringing the LIVESTONG Challenge San Jose to her backyard (literally…the 100 mile bike course goes right past her house!) on Sunday July 13^th.

I spent the morning with a great group of folks at NBC-11, the official television sponsor for the San Jose LIVESTRONG Challenge. A HUGE thank you to Craig Herrera and the whole staff at NBC-11 for spreading the word about LIVESTRONG Day and the mission of the LAF with your viewers. Check out Craig’s blog and join Craig Herrera’s Team Eleven. Craig interviewed several of the amazing volunteers who came out to share their stories, and promote the LIVESTRONG Challenge. I had so much fun with LOC members Jere, Steve, Cynthia, Kyle from Silicon Valley Cycling Coalition, and the lovely Hammer family!

Headed to the last LIVESTRONG Day event in San Jose tonight at 8:00pm PST. The San Jose Sharks official practice facility, Sharks Ice is hosting a public ice skating event tonight, with all proceeds going to the LAF. I can’t wait…haven’t been on ice skates in years! Thanks for an unforgettable LIVESTRONG Day San Jose…y’all ROCK!

Photo from LIVESTRONG Day skate party at the San Jose Sharks practice facility