Ryan Dungey’s Story

Apr 08, 2011 by Guest

5 Comments

• Tweet

This week, I?m joining LIVESTRONG as a Global Envoy.

Photo by Cameron Baird

Getting involved with LIVESTRONG and the fight against cancer is a special opportunity for me. I lost my grandmother to cancer when I was 15. When she was diagnosed, cancer entered the life of my family and caused enormous changes. For five years, we supported my grandmother through her fight. Even as a child, watching her struggle with the effects of the disease was heartbreaking for me. But despite how tough those years were, my grandmother?s endless grace and courage have become a daily inspiration and lesson.

Photo courtesy of Glenn Kasin

In her memory, I vowed to support the fight against cancer and pay tribute to the people and families affected by it.

LIVESTRONG Global Envoys raise awareness of the cancer fight, speak out on behalf of survivors and their families and help dispel the stigma that is often associated with the disease. I?m honored to accept that responsibility and hope that I can help raise awareness about young adult survivors in particular.

Photo courtesy of Glenn Kasin

Each year, nearly 70,000 young adults in America between the ages of 15 and 39 are diagnosed with cancer. Many of them are under-insured or uninsured. They often face life-long effects as a result of their cancer and treatment, like infertility, challenges picking their lives back up and struggles getting insurance coverage. In this age group, there hasn?t been an increase in survival rates in more than 30 years. There?s a lot to be done here and by calling for more attention and resources together, we can begin to make progress on their behalf.

In honor of National Young Adult Cancer Awareness Week, the LIVESTRONG community is supporting teens and young adults with cancer by teaming up with URDB World Records on a project called Break Cancer. Anyone can break or set a record in honor of a survivor. I challenge all motocross fans to get busy!

LIVESTRONG,
Ryan

Photo courtesy of Glenn Kasin

Ryan Dungey, 21, has won every motocross championship he?s competed in since 2009 and holds the prestigious 2010 Supercross Champion title. Originally from Belle Plaine, Minn., Ryan makes his home in Tallahassee, Fla. Learn more about Ryan at www.ryandungey.com.

For more information visit the LIVESTRONG Press Center.