More than 3,500 cyclists, runners and walkers from the United States and Canada helped raise more than $4.2 million to fight cancer during the final stop of the Livestrong Challenge Series in Austin Oct. 23-25. To our great delight, CNCA was one of many proud sponsors -- among them JetBlue, Embassy Suites, Aquaphor, Sweat Leaf Tea, AMD and Mellow Johnny's Bike Shop -- that participated in the Livestrong Challenge Series for the first time in our existence.

These superficial facts, however, don't even begin to describe the powerful emotions we felt hearing the heart-warming and more-often-than-not triumphant stories that countless amateur athletes, cancer survivors and caregivers shared with CNCA staffers. Inspiring all by itself: The great distances folks traveled just to get to Austin to unite with former Tour de France winner and cancer survivor Lance Armstrong.

We invite you to be inspired as we were on that beautiful October weekend in Austin to join Lance's fight to beat cancer by making a donation. And, if you need any inspiration, there's plenty to be found on various Livestrong team pages, like the story of Colleen Whealdon-Haught, whose battle against cancer lives on after it ended far too early for her last month.

Registration for the 2010 Livestrong Challenge Series opens Dec. 1 in the same four venues -- Seattle, San Jose, Calif., Philadelphia and Austin, Texas -- as this year's races. A heads-up for Livestrong participants: Check out this FAQ page for format changes in next year's events.

Hope to see you there next year!