You might say I have some skin in this game.
As someone who has covered LIVESTRONG social media since 2009, and even fundraised for them, it seems obvious to me that the foundation will survive Lance Armstrong’s public doping scandal.
The voluntary move to separate Armstrong from LIVESTRONG came almost at the same time as Nike’s decision to pull sponsorship, in effect retaining the integrity of the LIVESTRONG community. The departure provided a clean break, an opportunity to stay on mission as opposed to suffering a long protracted struggle to reconcile Lance’s Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde public image.
This is not your average grassroots community, folks.
It is a die-hard loyal community of millions who have and continue to fight a mortal battle against cancer.
The community is managed by people, people like my friend Brooke McMillan, who care deeply about the various LIVESTRONG community loyalists on and offline, and interact with them closely every day.
You can see strong conversations and peer-to-peer influence continues in the face of this bitter cold wind.
Just visit the Facebook page today. You’ll notice it yourself.
Media pundits who question the foundation’s future have no idea what it’s like to be a part of or interact with this community.
LIVESTRONG may not be as forceful or present without Lance, but it will continue. The community’s commitment to supporting each other through the battle against cancer, to living well today, is unmatched.
That loyalty translates financially, too. LIVESTRONG community has already raised $500,000,000 to serve people facing cancer. CNN reported this weekend that LIVESTRONG saw its online store sales double since Lance Armstrong stepped down.
If you have someone close to you that survived or has passed away due to cancer, you know what I’m talking about.
My brother in law had a brutal form of cancer three years ago, and mercifully it went into remission after chemotherapy. But I will never forget how scary that time was for my sister and my then two-year old niece, as well as for his and our families.
LIVESTRONG is much more than Lance Armstrong.
It’s about surviving. And winning even if it’s for just today.
What do you think?
In addition to this post, I donated $100 to continue supporting the Foundation. You can donate to LIVESTRONG here.