Ballinger, TX

LIVESTRONG Day in Ballinger was the essence of grassroots advocacy. Over 200 people (out of 4,200 total population!) came to the Courthouse lawn to sign letters to members of Congress urging greater support for the fight against cancer. To give you an idea of the high turnout, an Austin event that had similar participation would need to have almost 50,000 people show up! The local LIVESTRONG Army also provided a video and other information to educate and inform. The local TV and newspaper covered the event, and the paper had run a front page story the week before. The highlight of the day was the release of over 200 beautiful yellow balloons to signify that the cure for cancer may be just over the horizon if we work harder at it.

The main organizers of this amazing day were Misty and Dave Ueckert, who lost their 15 year old son Trent to cancer last year. Trent battled valiantly for 2 years with a spirit that embodies LIVESTRONG. He never gave up the fight: he played high school football while undergoing chemo, was always positive and energetic, and inspired all who were around him. Misty attended the LIVESTRONG Summit in Austin in October 2006 and so moved by the experience that she became actively involved with the LAF.

The small Texas town of Ballinger can be very proud of Misty, Dave, and their family and friends who made LIVESTRONG Day a special time. When we win this fight against cancer, it will be because good people are working hard together to achieve that goal. I was enormously proud to be with them on this day.

Dennis Cavner