The forum will provide candidates with an opportunity to detail their respective policy plans for fighting cancer, a disease that kills nearly 1,500 Americans every day.

Both discussions will take place at U.S. Cellular Center in Cedar Rapids, Iowa from 10 a.m. until noon CDT. Tickets for the forum are available at no cost online.

Senator Charles Grassley, Republican of Iowa, and Iowa Governor Chet Culver, a Democrat, will provide welcoming remarks for the Republicans and Democrats, respectively, and comment on the future of cancer-related public policy. Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center at The University of Iowa was recently named a "Special Friend of the Lance Armstrong Foundation" and will be recognized at the event.

"Cancer is non-partisan. It's the number one killer of Americans under 85," said Armstrong, founder and chairman of the LAF. "Each of the confirmed participants is demonstrating the importance of a national cancer policy in his or her platform. We greatly appreciate their commitment and invite all remaining candidates to attend."

MSNBC will be broadcasting the Forum. Each afternoon following the forum, MSNBC's "Hardball with Chris Matthews" will feature candidate interviews and comments, followed by Armstrong discussing the forum and cancer-related issues with Matthews.

"The Presidential Cancer Forum is a critical step for the Lance Armstrong Foundation toward making cancer a national priority," said Doug Ulman, president of the LAF. "MSNBC will help elevate our nation's focus on cancer by shining a spotlight on an issue that takes far too many lives."

"The LIVESTRONG Presidential Cancer Forum will be an excellent chance not only for Iowans, but for people across the country, to learn more from the candidates about their efforts to fight this devastating disease," Grassley said. "Most of us have a personal story about the impact cancer has had in our lives, whether through our loved ones' struggles or our own. We have the opportunity to bring this disease to the forefront of the policy debate."

"Iowa is proud of its history as a bellwether in each presidential election season—and we are equally proud to be hosting this discussion," Culver said. "We've all seen the yellow wristbands and witnessed Lance's tireless advocacy on this critical issue. Now, with the help of his leadership, the LAF is hosting the LIVESTRONG Presidential Cancer Forum as a vehicle for us to see just where the presidential contenders stand on cancer issues ranging from funding for research, to survivorship services as well the hope to one day find a cure."

The LIVESTRONG Presidential Cancer Forum stems from a commitment by Armstrong and the foundation that bears his name to build and mobilize a LIVESTRONG Army that unites citizens, government officials and cancer organizations across the country to make cancer a national priority.

"The dream is that we get rid of this disease forever," Armstrong said. "The '08 elections and the LIVESTRONG Presidential Cancer Forum give all Americans an opportunity to ask the candidates 'What's your plan? And where does cancer fit into your policies?'"

For more information:

Lance Armstrong Foundation

Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center