A pregnancy is usually good news, and announcing it during the Christmas season makes it extra special for a lot of people. So I can only wonder what the experience must be like for Lance Armstrong, a testicular cancer survivor to reveal that he is going to be a dad again.

When he was diagnosed in 1996, Armstrong had his sperm frozen. Subsequently he had three children with his then wife Kristin Richards through in vitro fertilization. According to reports he and girlfriend Anna Hansen conceived the baby naturally. Armstrong released a statement saying, “Anna and I are thrilled to confirm that we are expecting in June and our families are ecstatic and grateful. We are very much looking forward to what 2009 brings on many fronts.”

There is so much about Lance Armstrong’s story that can give people hope. His battle with cancer has been written and talked about extensively. Even more amazing, after being treated he went on to win the grueling Tour De France a record seven times. He is one of the premier athletes of our time.

He is an inspiration not only to anyone battling cancer, but also to couples everywhere who are trying to conceive, especially due to illness. I don’t know what hope if any his doctors had given him for being able to naturally father a child, but it’s obvious that Armstrong continues to chart his own course.

Recently it was revealed that he was planning a Tour De France comeback. I know nobody is prepared to write of his chances even though he last won the event in 2005. There’s no word on whether this most recent announcement will affect those plans in any way.

I join the others who congratulate Lance Armstrong on this happy occasion. Here’s hoping everything goes well throughout the pregnancy. Whatever challenges may arise, I’m sure Lance Armstrong will face them the way he always has, with true grit and determination.