Nevada Cancer Institute (NVCI) will host an open house as part of a nationwide effort to celebrate LIVESTRONG Day from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. today at 2125 W. Williams Ave.

LIVESTRONG Day is a one-day initiative by the Lance Armstrong Foundation (LAF) to raise awareness for the cancer fight and to show support for people affected by cancer. NVCI has a goal to sign up 200 Nevada residents from across the state into the LIVESTRONG Army.

The LIVESTRONG Army is a dynamic group of people who unite to make cancer a priority in their community, at the state level and across the country. All new members will receive a LIVESTRONG wristband along with cookies and light refreshments.

"LIVESTRONG Day is such a special event for survivors across the country," said Tina Kroepel, NVCI patient navigator/ community health educator. "We are honored to have the citizens of Fallon to stop by our offices for a day of celebration and hope."

The LAFIII Strength in Survivorship support group will also host a barbeque for its members with hamburgers and hotdogs being donated by Hecks Meat Market and cookies donated by Wal-Mart. Curves for Women has donated water bottles for the event.

"Nevada Cancer Institute is an honored partner of the Lance Armstrong Foundation," said Sandra Murdock, NVCI CEO and president. "The continued growth and progress of collaborations like this will only improve the fight against cancer and make life easier for patients and families across the country."

There are an estimated 60,000 cancer survivors in Nevada and more than 10 million cancer survivors in the United States.

LAF has supported numerous initiatives at NVCI, including a series of 29 town hall meetings that were hosted by NVCI throughout Nevada - tapping into urban and rural areas as well as different minority populations. At those community meetings, NVCI staff listened to attendees about resources available and needed for cancer patients and their caregivers. The result was the first-ever statewide assessment of cancer survivors' needs in Nevada.

In Fallon, LAF supported a series of events under NVCI's Healthy Fallon program, which culminated in a family bike rally on LIVESTRONG Day 2007. NVCI's Healthy Fallon was developed to meet the specific needs of Churchill County residents and encourage healthy lifestyle changes, focusing on children.

LAF also has provided funding support for transportation for cancer patients by offering access to gas cards. A LAF-supported bimonthly support group for cancer patients, caregivers and survivors meets on the second and fourth Mondays of the month from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Fallon NVCI office.

NVCI also is home to a Lance Armstrong Foundation Survivorship Center at its flagship facility in Las Vegas. The center at NVCI addresses the long- and short-term physical, psychological, social, occupational, and economical effects of cancer and its treatment among survivors of cancer and their families.

LIVESTRONG Day is sponsored annually by the Lance Armstrong Foundation, a nonprofit organization headquartered in Austin, Texas, and founded by champion cyclist and cancer survivor Lance Armstrong in 1997. The LAF believes in inspiring and empowering people affecting by cancer.

To attend the Fallon LIVESTRONG Day open house, or for more information please call: Tina Kroepel at (775) 423-7060.

About Nevada Cancer Institute

Nevada Cancer Institute (NVCI) is the official cancer institute for the State of Nevada. A nonprofit organization, NVCI is committed to reducing the burden of cancer by pursuing the development of a comprehensive cancer research institute, as defined by the National Cancer Institute. Through the knowledge and expertise of the finest scientists, clinicians, educators and caregivers, the Institute provides hope to communities in Nevada, the southwest and beyond through research, education, early detection, prevention and high quality patient care. NVCI is striving for a future without cancer that is achieved through initiated and collaborative research in basic, clinical and population science. For more information, please visit www.nevadacancerinstitute.org or call (702) 822-LIFE.