Cancer survivor rides 'victory mile' at bike race
Cancer survivor rides 'victory mile' at bike race
House painter featured as part of Amgen Tour
By Angela Lau
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
2:00 a.m. February 26, 2009
ALLIED GARDENS — Gary Miller lost his prostate to cancer a year ago, but he enjoyed a symbolic mile of glory Sunday when he crossed the finish line of the Amgen Tour of California's last stage ahead of the professional cyclists.
Miller, 56, a house painter who lives in Allied Gardens, was the last of four cancer survivors in four California cities riding the last mile in four of the eight stages in the biggest professional bike race in the United States.
Miller crossed the finish line one hour ahead of the pros, who blasted into downtown Escondido around 4 p.m.
The Amgen Tour was an eight-stage, 750-mile race that began in Sacramento on Feb. 14 before concluding in North County.
The rides by the cancer survivors, who were accompanied on bikes by friends and relatives, symbolized their break from the grip of cancer, said Kathryn West, advocacy director for Amgen Oncology.
Organizers use the Breakaway Mile rides to promote the idea that it takes a team to win the battle against cancer and to publicize the resources available to cancer patients.
Although seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong, who embodies cancer survival, rode the race in part to draw attention to the disease, organizers wanted to amplify the message.
The first cancer survivor to cross a finish line was a man who suffered from neuroblastoma and thyroid cancer. He rode in the first stage, which ended in Santa Rosa on Feb 15. The second survivor had tongue and neck cancer, and he rode the last mile of Stage 3 in Modesto.
A woman who was diagnosed with a brain tumor did the third Breakaway Mile in Paso Robles last Thursday.
Miller, now cancer-free, rode the final Breakaway Mile in downtown Escondido.
Miller's wife, Karen, 50, had wanted to be part of the action, but she was sidelined by recent hip surgery. “This ride is very symbolic,” she said. “He is literally getting back on the bike – not just to ride, but to get his life back to normal.”
Cancer support organizations also were at the finish line.
Miller was diagnosed during an annual checkup in January 2007. Fearful of the future, he joined a younger man's prostate cancer support group that met in Mission Valley.
In April, Miller chose to have his prostate removed in a surgery performed by a robotic arm.
His wife, a patient-services coordinator for San Diego Cancer Navigator, a nonprofit organization, became his advocate and contacted the Patient Advocate Foundation for help with insurance issues. The foundation asked her if Miller would like to ride the Breakaway Mile.
To prepare for the event, Miller is practiced on his Townie – a cross between a beach cruiser and a street bike – at home.
Angela Lau: (760) 737-7575; angela.lau@uniontrib.com
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