Livestrong Foundation

Last updated

Livestrong Foundation
Founded1997
Founder Lance Armstrong
FocusCancer-related
Location
Area served
United States
Key people
Suzanne Stone (President)
Website livestrong.org

The Livestrong Foundation is a United States nonprofit organization that provides support for people affected by cancer. The foundation, based in Austin, Texas, was established in 1997 by cancer survivor and former professional road racing cyclist Lance Armstrong, as the Lance Armstrong Foundation. [1] The Livestrong brand was launched by the foundation in 2003. [2] Armstrong resigned from the foundation in 2012 after his admission of doping, leading to the rebranding of the entire organization as Livestrong Foundation.

Contents

Among its activities, the foundation lobbies governmental agencies, conducts research on cancer survivors, and funds a number of smaller non-profit organizations. [3] The cornerstone of the foundation's work was the providing of free, direct, personalized support services for people navigating the physical, practical, emotional and financial challenges of having cancer. In this effort, the foundation aimed to make the cancer care system more patient-focused. [4] As of 2020, the foundation has shifted its focus away from "direct services", and has positioned itself as a backer of companies involved in improving patient care.

History

The foundation states that its mission is "to improve the lives of cancer survivors and those affected by cancer." [5] The foundation implements its mission through direct services, community programs and systemic change. As early as 1999, the foundation began focusing on the field of cancer survivorship, specifically the practical, psycho-social needs of cancer patients and those affected by cancer. In 2000, the foundation funded cancer survivorship programs at Children's Medical Center in Ft. Worth, TX and the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, PA.

In 2001, the foundation awarded its first community program grant through a program that would ultimately become the Community Impact Project. The first grant was awarded to Wonders and Worries, a pilot program to help children cope when a parent has a chronic or life-threatening illness like cancer. Future recipients of the Community Impact Project include the LIVESTRONG at the YMCA, Camp Kesem , Pablove Shutterbugs, and Cancer Transitions.

In 2002, the foundation launched Livestrong Survivorcare, the predecessor to Livestrong Navigation, a free one-on-one service offering cancer navigation services to patients, caregivers, friends and family members through phone, email and online services. The foundation would ultimately open the Livestrong Cancer Navigation Center at its headquarters in Austin by 2010. Since its inception, Livestrong has served over 100,000 people through free programs and services such as emotional counseling, insurance management, clinical trial matching and guidance on treatment options.[ citation needed ][ when? ]

In 2008, Demand Media reached an agreement with the foundation to license the use of the Livestrong name and mark to create a spin-off website, Livestrong.com (unconnected to Livestrong.org), a commercial health and wellness site. Demand Media hired Armstrong as a spokesman. [6] [7]

Armstrong doping scandal and rebranding

Former logo. LIVESTRONG logo.png
Former logo.

In 2012, Armstrong was banned from professional cycling and stripped of his Tour de France titles after it was found that he had engaged in the use of performance-enhancing drugs. The foundation initially reacted by questioning the integrity of the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) in a statement by president and chief executive Doug Ulman released in October 2012: [8]

Our long-standing concerns about the impartiality and fairness of Usada's proceedings are compounded today. ... Usada appears motivated more by publicity rather than fulfilling its mission. ... Because of [Armstrong's] leadership and vision, the Lance Armstrong Foundation has served more than 2.5 million people affected by cancer over the last 15 years. ... We are deeply grateful for his leadership and incredibly proud of his achievements, both on and off the bike. [9]

However, just a week later, Armstrong resigned as the chairman of the foundation, and from the foundation's board of directors in November. [10] [11] [8] In January 2013, prior to Armstrong's televised interview with Oprah Winfrey in which he admitted to doping, the foundation released a statement that said:

We expect Lance to be completely truthful and forthcoming in his interview and with all of us in the cancer community ... Regardless, we are charting a strong, independent course forward that is focused on helping people overcome financial, emotional and physical challenges related to cancer ... Inspired by the people with cancer whom we serve, we feel confident and optimistic about the Foundation's future and welcome an end to speculation. [12]

Following the departure of Armstrong, the foundation considered whether its highly visible brand image was a liability, linking the foundation and its activities too tightly with its founder. The conclusion was that a radical change would go against the foundation's key message: "It has never been about one person." The foundation changed its name from the Lance Armstrong Foundation to the Livestrong Foundation in November 2012. [1] This decision and the strategy it adopted was primarily driven by the foundation's own "strong sense of itself" and the "importance of its story." [13] In the end, in a process some critics called "subtle but substantive," the foundation's story was told through a variety of ongoing initiatives explaining the foundation's key promise, which was designed to help distinguish the organization from other organizations in the oncology community. [13]

As a result of Armstrong's confessed guilt, on May 28, 2013, Nike announced that it would cut ties with the foundation after a nine-year relationship. After the 2013 holiday season, Nike ceased production of its Livestrong line of products, honoring its contract with the organization which expired in 2014. [14]

The foundation was a title sponsor of Major League Soccer club Sporting Kansas City's home stadium from March 2011 to January 2013, when the naming agreement was terminated. [15] The deal was severed after both sides blamed the other for failing to live up to their agreement; Armstrong's doping scandal was not a factor in the decision. [16] [17]

Subsequent developments

In 2015, Livestrong hired Chandini Portteus as their new president and CEO. She formerly worked at the Susan G. Komen Foundation. [18]

In 2016, Portteus resigned and Greg Lee was appointed as President. Greg Lee had served as CFO of the Foundation for over ten years. [18]

In February 2020, the foundation announced that it would change its focus to being an "impact funder" rather than a provider of direct services, backing startups involved in improving patient care. The foundation also unveiled a new logo, moving away from its previous yellow-and-black imagery (which was strongly associated with Armstrong and its wristbands). Lee stated that the new brand was intended to reflect that Livestrong was "more than a wristband". [19] [20]

In 2023, Lee resigned after 17 years. [21] Suzanne Stone was subsequently appointed as President. She formerly worked at the Children's Miracle Network Hospitals as well as the Susan G. Komen Foundation. [22]

Livestrong wristband

The Livestrong wristband. Livestrong wristband.jpg
The Livestrong wristband.

The Livestrong wristband is a yellow silicone gel bracelet program launched in May 2004 as a fund-raising item. [23] The bracelet was developed by Nike and its advertising agency, Wieden+Kennedy. The band's yellow color references the yellow jersey traditionally worn by the Tour de France's overall leader. The band became a popular fashion item in the US by the end of the summer of 2004 and appeared on a majority of the contenders at the 2004 Tour de France.

By 2013, 80 million Livestrong bracelets had been sold, according to Oprah. [8] The success of the Livestrong bracelets led to many other charities selling similar wristbands as part of their fundraising efforts. [24] [25]

Following Armstrong's lifetime ban for doping by USADA, a CNN article claimed that critics had struck out the "V" or wrote a "W" over the "ST" to make the wristband read "LIE STRONG" or "LIVEWRONG". [26] Satirical news site The Onion marketed a lookalike parody bracelet which replaced the "LIVESTRONG" text with "CHEAT TO WIN." [27] [28]

Finances

Figures provided by the foundation to ESPN in October 2012 revealed that, despite Armstrong's acknowledgement that he doped, [29] revenues were up 2.1 percent, to US$33.8 million, through September 30, 2012—according to ESPN, this total represented a 5.4 percent increase from 2011, with a 5.7 percent increase in the average dollar amount of those donations (from US$74.88 in 2011 to US$79.15 in 2012). [30] Over the duration of its existence, the foundation has generated more than US$500 million worth of funds. [12]

Since Armstrong's departure, the foundation's income has continued to drop. The foundation revealed that its 2013 budget was 10.9 percent less than its 2012 budget, [12] and annual reports from the foundation show a continuous drop in revenue with annual contributions falling from $15.8 million in 2011 to $10.7 million in 2012, $7.9 million in 2013, $3.8 million in 2014, $6.7 million in 2015, $4.2 million in 2016, $3.5 million in 2017, and $3.2 million in 2018, (the last year for which audited financial reports are available).[ citation needed ] Income from licensing and royalties also declined dramatically, from a high of $7.2 million in 2007 to a low of $13,875 in 2017. [31]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bracelet</span> Jewelry worn around the wrist

A bracelet is an article of jewellery that is worn around the wrist. Bracelets may serve different uses, such as being worn as an ornament. When worn as ornaments, bracelets may have a supportive function to hold other items of decoration, such as charms. Medical and identity information are marked on some bracelets, such as allergy bracelets, hospital patient-identification tags, and bracelet tags for newborn babies. Bracelets may be worn to signify a certain phenomenon, such as breast cancer awareness, or for religious/cultural purposes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">U.S. Postal Service Pro Cycling Team</span> US-based professional road bicycle racing team

U.S. Postal Service Pro Cycling Team was a United States-based professional road bicycle racing team. On June 15, 2004, the Discovery Channel signed a deal to become sponsor of the team for the 2004–2007 seasons and its name changed to Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team. From 2005 until 2007, the team was one of the 20 teams that competed in the new UCI ProTour. As part of the sponsorship deal, Lance Armstrong, the team's undisputed leader, provided on-air appearances for the Discovery Networks TV channels. The deal did not affect the rights of secondary sponsor OLN, later known as NBCSN in the US, to air major cycling events such as the Tour de France, although the two channels are competitors.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United States Anti-Doping Agency</span> National anti-doping organization (NADO) for the United States

The United States Anti-Doping Agency is a non-profit, non-governmental 501(c)(3) organization and the national anti-doping organization (NADO) for the United States. To protect clean competition and the integrity of sport and prevent doping in the United States with a performance-enhancing substance, the USADA provides education, leads scientific initiatives, conducts testing, and oversees the results management process. Headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado, USADA is a signatory to the World Anti-Doping Code, which harmonizes anti-doping practices around the world, and is widely considered the basis for the strongest and strictest anti-doping programs to prevent doping in sport.

Lawrence Einhorn is an American oncologist at Indiana University School of Medicine. A pioneer in cancer treatment research, Einhorn developed cisplatin-based chemotherapy regimens that increased cure rates while minimizing toxic side effects.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Phil Liggett</span> Cycling commentator

Philip Alexander Liggett is an English commentator and journalist who covers professional cycling.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Johan Bruyneel</span> Directeur sportif and former road bicycle racer

Johan Bruyneel is a Belgian former professional road bicycle racer and a former directeur sportif for UCI ProTour team RadioShack–Nissan, and U.S. Postal Service, a US-based UCI ProTour cycling team. On 25 October 2018, the World Anti Doping Agency imposed a lifetime ban on Bruyneel for his role in a doping scandal that also saw Lance Armstrong stripped of his seven Tour de France titles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Frankie Andreu</span> American cyclist

Francisco "Frankie" Andreu is an American former professional cyclist whose career highlights include riding as team captain of the U.S. Postal Service cycling team in 1998, 1999 and 2000. During his career, he won a number of race stages and finished fourth in the cycling road race at the 1996 Olympics. His testimony played a key part in the United States Anti-Doping Agency's investigation of fellow U.S. Postal cyclist Lance Armstrong's doping practices.

Michele Ferrari is an Italian physician, cycling coach and author, who is mostly known for his role in supplying bicycle racers with performance-enhancing drugs, notably EPO. His most famous client was Lance Armstrong.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gel bracelet</span> Type of wristband

Gel bracelets are a type of wristband often made from silicone.

<i>L.A. Confidentiel</i> 2004 book by Pierre Ballester and David Walsh

L.A. Confidentiel: Les secrets de Lance Armstrong is a book by sports journalist Pierre Ballester and The Sunday Times sports correspondent David Walsh. The book contains circumstantial evidence of cyclist Lance Armstrong having used performance-enhancing drugs. The book has only been published in French.

<i>Its Not About the Bike</i> Book by Lance Armstrong

It's Not About the Bike: My Journey Back to Life is a 2000 autobiographical book by American cyclist Lance Armstrong with Sally Jenkins.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Erythropoiesis-stimulating agent</span> Medicine that stimulates red blood cell production

Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESA) are medications which stimulate the bone marrow to make red blood cells. They are used to treat anemia due to end stage kidney disease, chemotherapy, major surgery, or certain treatments in HIV/AIDS. In these situations they decrease the need for blood transfusions. The different agents are more or less equivalent. They are given by injection.

<i>Every Second Counts</i> (book) Autobiographical book by Lance Armstrong

Every Second Counts is a 2003 autobiography by cyclist Lance Armstrong written in collaboration with sports writer and columnist Sally Jenkins. It is a follow-up to Armstrong's It's Not About the Bike: My Journey Back to Life which was also written with Sally Jenkins. The narrative begins from after Armstrong's first Tour de France win in 1999 and continues up until his fifth win in 2003.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lance Armstrong</span> American cyclist (born 1971)

Lance Edward Armstrong is an American former professional road racing cyclist. He achieved international fame for winning the Tour de France a record seven consecutive times from 1999 to 2005, but was stripped of his titles after an investigation into doping allegations, called the Lance Armstrong doping case, found that Armstrong used performance-enhancing drugs over his career. As a result, Armstrong is currently banned for life from all sanctioned bicycling events.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Team RadioShack</span> American bicycle racing team (2010–2011)

Team RadioShack was a professional road bicycle racing team, with RadioShack as the title sponsor, the creation of which was announced on July 23, 2009. Lance Armstrong co-owned and led the team, which raced in the Grand Tours and the UCI ProTour. The team was managed by Capital Sports and Entertainment, an Austin, Texas sports and event management group that also manages the Trek-Livestrong U23 development cycling team and that ran the former Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">History of Lance Armstrong doping allegations</span> Cycling doping allegations

For much of the second phase of his career, American cyclist Lance Armstrong faced constant allegations of doping, including doping at the Tour de France and in the Lance Armstrong doping case. Armstrong vehemently denied allegations of using performance enhancing drugs for 13 years, until a confession during a broadcast interview with Oprah Winfrey in January 2013, when he finally admitted to all his cheating in sports, stating, “I view this situation as one big lie that I repeated a lot of times”.

"A Scause for Applause" is the thirteenth episode of the sixteenth season of the American animated sitcom South Park, and the 236th episode of the series overall.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Greg LeMond anti-doping stance and controversies</span>

Greg LeMond competed at a time when performance enhancing drugs were just beginning to impact his sport. Rumors of improprieties existed, including USA Cycling's blood doping at the 1984 LA Olympics and Francesco Moser's same measures prior to his 1984 assault on the hour record, but legalities were not sharply demarcated and the practice was not spoken of in the open. Considered one of the most talented cyclists of his generation, from his earliest days of professional cycling LeMond was strongly against taking performance enhancing drugs, largely on the basis of the health risks such practices posed. His career lacks the suspicious results that have tarnished his successors. His willingness to speak out against doping and those prominent individuals involved inadvertently linked him with the sport’s doping scandal controversies. In his opposition to fraud, corruption and what he saw as complicity on the part of cycling officials, LeMond became a lightning rod with the sports most prominent personalities.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lance Armstrong doping case</span> Doping scandal in professional cycling

United States Anti-Doping Agency v. Lance Armstrong, the Lance Armstrong doping case, was a major doping investigation that led to retired American road racing cyclist Lance Armstrong being stripped of his seven consecutive Tour de France titles, along with one Olympic medal, and his eventual admission to using performance-enhancing drugs. The United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) portrayed Armstrong as the ringleader of what it called "the most sophisticated, professionalized and successful doping program that sport has ever seen."

Lenny Stern is a founding partner of creative marketing communication agency SS+K, the advertising agency that created the youth campaigns for the Barack Obama presidential campaigns of 2008 and 2012, credited with providing the decisive margins that resulted in Obama victories in each year. Stern and his company are also known for developing the yellow LIVESTRONG bracelet and messaging for the Lance Armstrong Foundation.

References

  1. 1 2 Corrie MacLaggan (November 14, 2012). "Exclusive: Livestrong cancer charity drops Lance Armstrong name from title". Chicago Tribune . Retrieved January 23, 2013.
  2. ↑ Corrie MacLaggan (October 17, 2012). "Lance Armstrong steps down from charity, Nike drops him". Reuters . Retrieved January 23, 2013.
  3. ↑ Issie Lapowsky (April 1, 2014). "Livestrong Without Lance". Inc. Mansueto Ventures. Retrieved April 9, 2014.
  4. ↑ "LIVESTRONG Emphasizes Importance of Patient-Focused Cancer Care". Onco'Zine - The International Oncology Network. Inpress Media Group. Archived from the original on April 13, 2014. Retrieved April 9, 2014.
  5. ↑ "What We Do". LIVESTRONG Foundation. LIVESTRONG Foundation. January 2013. Retrieved January 23, 2013.
  6. ↑ Bill Gifford (January 5, 2012). "IT'S NOT ABOUT THE LAB RATS". Outside. Mariah Media Network, LLC. Archived from the original on January 28, 2013. Retrieved January 23, 2013.
  7. ↑ Stephanie Saul (January 13, 2013). "Armstrong's Business Brand, Bound Tight With His Charity". The New York Times . Retrieved January 23, 2013.
  8. 1 2 3 Baker, Christopher (January 20, 2013). "Spin: Lance Armstrong's confession and Livestrong's future". The Conversation Australia . The Conversation Media Group. Retrieved November 7, 2019.
  9. ↑ "Lance Armstrong's contribution to cancer fight hailed by his charity". The Guardian . Press Association. October 11, 2012. ISSN   0261-3077 . Retrieved November 7, 2019.
  10. ↑ "Armstrong stands down from charity". The Sydney Morning Herald . Associated Press. October 17, 2012. Retrieved January 23, 2013.
  11. ↑ Belson, Ken; Pilon, Mary (October 17, 2012). "Armstrong Is Dropped by Nike and Steps Down as Foundation Chairman". New York Times . Retrieved October 18, 2012.
  12. 1 2 3 Corrie MacLaggan (January 16, 2013). ""We expect Lance to be completely truthful": Livestrong". News Daily. Archived from the original on January 16, 2013. Retrieved January 23, 2013.
  13. 1 2 Hull, Rigsby (November 13, 2013). "Case Study: Livestrong Branding". American Institute of Graphic Arts. Archived from the original on April 6, 2014. Retrieved May 19, 2024.
  14. ↑ "NIKE CUTS TIES TO LIVESTRONG". Associated Press. Retrieved May 28, 2013.
  15. ↑ Haydon, John (January 16, 2013). "Lance Armstrong scandal ends Livestrong - Sporting Kansas FC relationship". The Washington Times. Archived from the original on January 17, 2013. Retrieved January 18, 2013.
  16. ↑ Rovell, Darren (January 16, 2013). "Livestrong Sporting Park deal set to end". ESPN.com. Retrieved January 16, 2013.
  17. ↑ Tryon, Barrett. "Livestrong Sporting Park Deal is Over Immediately; Renamed Sporting Park". WDAF-TV . Tribune Media . Retrieved January 16, 2013.
  18. 1 2 Vertuno, Jim (January 19, 2016). "Livestrong CEO Resigns After Less Than 1 Year". NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth . Retrieved May 19, 2024.
  19. ↑ "Livestrong Foundation gets brand revamp, new mission". Austin Business Journal . February 3, 2020. Retrieved February 19, 2020.
  20. ↑ Hawkins, Lori (February 3, 2020). "Two decades in, Livestrong Foundation shifts its focus". Austin American-Statesman . Retrieved February 19, 2020.
  21. ↑ "Celebrating a Tireless Advocate: Greg Lee Retires from Livestrong after 17 Years of Leadership". Livestrong Foundation. June 28, 2023. Archived from the original on January 19, 2024. Retrieved May 19, 2024.
  22. ↑ "Livestrong Announces New CEO with Years of Dedicated Service to Nonprofit". Livestrong Foundation. Archived from the original on February 21, 2024. Retrieved May 19, 2024.
  23. ↑ Where the Money Goes; Livestrong.org; retrieved January 14, 2013.
  24. ↑ Cahalane, Claudia (February 23, 2016). "Noughties revival? How charity wristbands are making a comeback". The Guardian . Retrieved July 25, 2022.
  25. ↑ Harford, Tim (December 12, 2019). "How much do we really know about why we give to charity?". BBC News . Retrieved July 25, 2022.
  26. ↑ Michael Pearson, "Lance Armstrong's legacy may withstand accusations", cnn.com, October 12, 2012. Retrieved October 15, 2012.
  27. ↑ "Ironic 'Cheat to Win' Rubber Yellow Bracelet". January 20, 2013.
  28. ↑ "TOM HOFFARTH: What to do with our Livestrong wristbands now?". October 21, 2012.
  29. ↑ David Rowe (January 18, 2013). "Lance Armstrong begins his confession – but why Oprah?". The Conversation. The Conversation Media Group. Retrieved January 23, 2013.
  30. ↑ Darren Rovell (October 10, 2012). "Armstrong's foundation still thriving". ESPN Playbook. ESPN Internet Ventures. Retrieved January 23, 2013.
  31. ↑ "Financials". January 14, 2016.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.