The courage that helped Lance Armstrong beat cancer and win cycling's most prestigious race inspired hundreds of people yesterday at Anne Arundel Medical Center in Annapolis, where he introduced new cancer-fighting technology that uses precise beams of radiation to target tumors.
"I never would have won the Tour de France without the illness," Armstrong said at the event, during which the hospital also announced it would name the cancer center after Geaton A. DeCesaris Jr., 47, of Lothian and his wife, JoAnne, in honor of their $3 million contribution.
The crowd of hospital staff, local officials, cycling enthusiasts, cancer survivors and their families listened intently as Armstrong described his life before being diagnosed with cancer in 1996 as that of a "slacker."
Battling an advanced form of testicular cancer that had spread to his abdomen, lungs and brain changed his life. "When you walk out the hospital door, you're different," Armstrong said. "Everything is different."
Armstrong, who spoke briefly to the audience before leaving the hospital, told the cancer patients about the importance of researching their illness, especially by using the Internet, and of talking to several doctors about the appropriate treatment."The new doctors switched drugs to preserve my cycling career," Armstrong said. He went on to win the Tour de France four consecutive times between 1999 and 2002.
Irene Repka, 43, of Annapolis, a nurse on leave from Anne Arundel Medical Center, was one of the cancer patients who attended yesterday's event.
"I like to see people who've made it," said Repka, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in July and is undergoing treatment. "It's inspiring."
Armstrong was on hand as a spokesman for BrainLAB Inc. of Munich, Germany, the company that produces one of the cancer-fighting technologies that the center recently bought.
Called Novalis, the device uses beams of radiation to treat tumors in the brain, head, neck, spine, liver, lung and prostate without hurting surrounding tissue.
When the device becomes operational next month, the center will be the only location in the mid-Atlantic region to have the technology, officials at the medical center said.
"What we are introducing today is an investment in technology ... to offer new hope," said Dr. Stanley P. Watkins Jr. director of oncology.
Yesterday's event also recognized the donation the DeCesarises made after Mr. DeCesaris was diagnosed with lung cancer six weeks ago - the largest in the hospital's 101-year history, said hospital spokeswoman Tricia L. Hoyle.
"We've been all around the country," said DeCesaris, president of homebuilding/chief operating officer of Hovnanian Enterprises Inc. of New Jersey. "We're impressed with the Anne Arundel Medical Center."
Counting DeCesaris' contribution, the center has raised $7.6 million on its way to $13 million to renovate the cancer center and improve technology, hospital officials said.
After yesterday's event, Repka said she hopes her fight with cancer will help her career the way Armstrong said it did his. As soon as doctors say she is well enough, she will return to the Anne Arundel Medical Center to work as a nurse.