The Lance Armstrong Foundation, which was set up in 1997 to support cancer survivors and make cancer a national priority in the US, has to date raised US$310 million to further its aims. Established by the world champion cyclist Lance Armstrong (37) after he was successfully treated for testicular cancer and before he went on to win the Tour de France seven times, the foundation has 75 full-time staff in Austin, Texas.
Katherine McLane, the organisation’s spokeswoman, said more than 85 per cent of the money raised by the foundation goes back into programmes to support survivors, including providing transport for those travelling to treatment centres.
She said a lot of the foundation’s funding comes from small donations but the foundation has also partnered with Nike on a clothing line and wristbands which are sold for to raise cash.
A year ago the foundation decided to go global with its Livestrong cancer awareness campaign to support the 28 million survivors of cancer worldwide and to urge world leaders to make cancer a greater priority. It received advice on the global campaign from former US president Bill Clinton, who has served as mentor and strategic advisor to the foundation.
The foundation’s first global cancer summit is currently taking place in the RDS, Dublin, with delegates from 64 countries. Ireland was chosen as the venue because it led the way in Europe with its workplace smoking ban.
Yesterday Armstrong, who came third this year in the Tour de France, said allegations over doping in the sport of cycling would not affect his efforts to tackle the worldwide cancer issue. “Definitely all sports have been affected by that, specifically as we know cycling, but I’ve been around too long to let that detract from what I do,” he said.
The Texan has consistently denied wrongdoing and never failed a drug test in competition.