Wanted you all to read this Press Release about my friend, Andy Anderson in Bangor, Ireland. Andy has been a strong supporter of the Lance Armstrong Foundation, and of my fansite for five or six years. Andy is one of the good guys in this world, and wants to tell his story in order to help other guys facing the same diagnosis.

Andy was diagnosed with Testicular Cancer - Choriocarcinoma - on May 16, 2000 and had surgery the next day. He was on intense chemotherapy from May 29 to August 17, 2000. Andy wrote about his cyber meeting with Lance on my Unofficial Lance Armstrong Fan Club site a few years ago. Click on the Link to read his story.

BANGOR CANCER SURVIVOR HONOURED WITH BENCH IN HIS HOME TOWN

Cancer Research UK is honouring Bangor cancer survivor, Andrew Anderson, with a dedicated bench in one of his favourite spots in his home town.

In a twist on the usual plaque dedications on public benches which are normally placed in memory of a loved one, the engraving on Andrew's bench reads: "Andrew Anderson loved sitting here. And still does thanks to research into cancer."

Andrew's bench is one of a series of benches being placed around the country to tie in with Cancer Research UK's Being Here campaign and will be a poignant celebration of the increasing number of people surviving cancer through advances in research. The campaign features TV, radio, print and poster advertisements telling cancer survivors' personal stories to highlight advances in cancer research and aims to raise over £6.5 million for the charity over the next five years.

Fifty-six-year-old Andrew, a keen cyclist, was diagnosed with advanced testicular cancer in May 2000 testicular cancer in May 2000. When diagnosed, his cancer was so advanced that Andrew was treated with surgery the next day, and two weeks later began four cycles of chemotherapy, which were completed the following August.

It is Andrew's hope that his story will raise general cancer awareness, especially among men. This is why he works with his local cancer research committee, Cancer Research Northern Ireland, in various fund-raising efforts. Now retired, he hopes to be able to provide cancer counseling to those currently suffering. Andrew believes that there is something very powerful in a cancer survivor talking to people who have received news that they have cancer and giving them hope, and he knows what it's like first hand.

Andrew says, "Quite simply, I'm living proof that cancer research works! Nearly six years ago, at the age of 50, I was diagnosed with a very aggressive and malignant form of testicular cancer. Had I been diagnosed when I was 25, a more common age to have this type of cancer, there would have been no treatment, no cure. Thanks to cancer research a 95+% mortality rate for testicular cancer in 1974 has been turned into a 95+% survival rate today. That's why I support Cancer Research UK."

Professor Alex Markham, Chief Executive of Cancer Research UK, says: "Survival rates in the UK have improved for nearly all cancers and the number of people who are free from cancer following treatment is higher than ever before. Like Andrew, the majority of successfully treated patients now go on to enjoy long periods of good health and in many cases will be cured.

"Research funded by Cancer Research UK has contributed significantly to this progress. We hope that people will be inspired by Andrew's story to donate money to our ongoing work and help us find even better ways of preventing, detecting and treating cancer.

For further information about Cancer Research UK's work or to find out how to support the charity, please call 020 7009 8820 or visit www.cancerresearchuk.org