Finding a hero today is not a very easy thing to do. Especially a hero comparable to Beowulf. After thinking for a long time the closest person I could think of is Lance Armstrong. He is a two-time Tour de France winner who was survived testicular cancer. Lance won the Tour de France in 1996. Shortly after he was diagnosed with a rare form of testicular cancer that spread to his stomach, lungs, and brain. He had 11 masses in just his lungs some of which the size of golf balls.
After having one testicle removed, brain surgery, and a year of chemotherapy, Lance was announced to be cancer free. Not only did he beat the cancer, but after two years of training, he went on to win the Tour de France for a second time in 1999. Lance is quite similar to Beowulf. Both had to overcome great obstacles in life. Beowulf had to kill Grendel and Grendel’s mother. Lance had to beat cancer and survive through the tough chemotherapy.
Both had great physical strength. Beowulf killed Grendel with his bare hands and swam for hours underwater after Grendel’s mother. Lance cycled against the worlds best cyclists and beat them in a three day race twice, and the last time just after recovering from cancer. Both helped people around them greatly. Beowulf killed the monsters that were killing everyone. Lance now has started an organization that is helping thousands of people in their own fight against cancer.
