In March of
2004 Ann Maree was diagnosed with Stage IV Breast Cancer, an incurable disease. That summer she watched Lance Armstrong
win his sixth Tour de France and, motivated by his story of victory over cancer, she began riding her bike and raising funds
for the Lance Armstrong Foundation. In 2004 and 2005 she rode in the Ride for the Roses in Austin, raising enough funds
to qualify her for the "Green Jersey Team." Two years later she formed a team of 16 to participate in the
Philadelphia LIVESTRONG Challenge and in 2007 the team had grown to over 50 athletes and supporters. They took on the
team name "Carpe Diem," which is Latin for Seize the Day, and team members started to talk about what a great launching pad this could
be for something even bigger.
In 2007 Ann
attended the LIVESTRONG Summit sponsored by the Lance Armstrong Foundation. When she
returned home she began talking to other members of the team about what Lance Armstrong refers to as the "obligation
of the cured." Even though there was no cure for Ann's type of cancer, she felt the need to give something
back to people who have been diagnosed with not just cancer, but any life threatening medical condition. As she talked
with other team members about what they could do, the concept of Carpe Diem USA was born, and with
the assistance of the Berks County Community Foundation, the concept became the reality that you see on the pages of this
website. Sadly Ann passed away on July 1, 2011 in Cincinnati, where she had been living with her husband and 2 rescued Greyhounds.
According to her wishes Carpe Diem USA will continue with our mission and seek to expand our services nationwide. While
Team Carpe Diem will continue to ride, run and walk to raise funds
in support of the Lance Armstrong Foundation and the fight against cancer, Carpe
Diem USA stands ready to "enhance the lives of adults with any life-threatening
medical condition by providing adventures and experiences that enrich their lives."
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