On Saturday, April 28, 2012, testicular cancer survivor and seven-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong brought his message of cancer awareness and advocacy to the University at Buffalo’s Distinguished Speakers Series. Before the lecture, Armstrong took a swim in UB’s Natatorium – but this was no ordinary workout. Armstrong faced Mary Eggers, a Rochester oncology nurse and triathlete, in a kickboard race to fulfill his part of a challenge made months ago on Twitter.

The idea for the “Duel in the Pool” was born months ago when Eggers tweeted Armstrong the challenge in order to raise funds for Teens Living with Cancer (TLC), a Rochester-based support group.  The more than $50,000 raised through the Duel will help bring a chapter of TLC to Roswell Park. Teenage cancer patients from Roswell Park and TLC had the chance to watch from the pool deck and celebrate Eggers’ victory when she beat Armstrong in the race by a small margin.