We have all seen the ubiquitous rubber wrist bands, raising awareness for a variety of issues. Many also know that the Lance Armstrong Foundation's yellow "Live Strong" bracelet started the concept. Millions of those yellow bands were sold to individuals like you and me, who felt it was a minor cost to incur in order to help such a worthwhile cause; however, few of us took the trend much further.

One individual, Chet Andes, was determined to make that yellow symbol of hope and optimism in the fight against cancer the driving force and focal point in his own life. When both Chet's grandfather and great-grandfather were diagnosed with colon cancer within months of each other Chet realized he had to honor the two men who had graced his life with much love and support.

Chet went to work, designing a plan that would allow him to advocate for his grandfathers' lives while helping to raise money for cancer research. He wrote a proposal to the Lance Armstrong Foundation, in which he conveyed to them his idea in hope of gaining their support. His idea: a mere 2,000-mile bike ride from Denver - his present hometown - to Denver, PA - the hometown of his youth.

During his 30 day ride, Chet, who is also a local teacher at Evergreen Middle School, will be spreading his message, asking those people who he comes into contact with to help him fund cancer research. As we know, the more funding, the greater the potential for combating the disease that has affected so many. The Lance Armstrong Foundation was impressed, pledging their support to his admirable declaration of purpose.

Yet Chet still needs support from the community in order to make this trip as successful as possible. I pledge my assistance to Chet for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is my family's own history with cancer, including the loss of my grandfather to lung cancer.

A few years after my grandmother was diagnosed with breast cancer, my sister, at the age of 27 had a hysterectomy in order to combat the cervical cancer that was found in her body. Although both were obviously profoundly impacted by the experience and their loss, they survived. They survived because so many good, caring people have put their lives into this fight. It is because of the individuals who refuse to be complacent, like Chet Andes, that I still have a sister and grandmother.

I ask all of you who read this, and especially Yourhub.com, to do the same as the Lance Armstrong Foundation and pledge your support to Chet Andes and his 2008 Denver2Denver ride. You can find out more at www.livestrong.org/grassroots/denver2denver, www.myspace.com/denver2denver and soon at Denver2Denver.org. All funds will help Chet in his fight against cancer.

Respectfully submitted by Gary (JR) Dunn