Lance Armstrong Foundation Reasearch Paper

There are more than 10.5 million cancer survivors living in the United States today. Over the past ten years the Lance Armstrong Foundation has contributed all of its time and efforts to make that number to be as high as possible. Also through countless fundraising projects the Lance Armstrong Foundation is making a cure for cancer a national priority. However, all the work that the foundation has done it is still not enough, 1,500 people each day are still dying of cancer. With the inspirations from Lance's own cancer fight, since 1997 the Lance Armstrong Foundation has contributed millions of dollars to cancer research and will continue to fund cancer research for years to come.

The world of cancer research drastically changed when Lance Armstrong was diagnosed with cancer in 1996. At age 25, Lance Armstrong was one of the world's best cyclists. He proved it by winning the World Championships, and multiple Tour de France stages. Lance Armstrong seemed invincible and his future was brighter than ever. Then doctors told him he had cancer. His life would never be the same. Next to the challenge he now faced, cycling was the last thing on his mind. In a 1998 interview Lance Armstrong said, "I thought I had 0% control on getting cancer, but I had 100% control on how I will respond to dealing with cancer, when life kicks you, let it kick you forward." The diagnosis for Lance was testicular cancer, the most common cancer in men aged 15-35. If detected early, its cure rate is 90 percent. Like most young, healthy men, Lance ignored the warning signs, and he never imagined the seriousness of his condition. Going untreated, the cancer spread to Lance's abdomen, lungs and brain. Then a combination of physical conditioning, a strong support system and competitive spirit took over. He declared himself not a cancer victim but a cancer survivor. He took an active role in educating himself about his disease and the treatment. Armed with knowledge and confidence in medicine, he underwent aggressive treatment and beat the disease. During his treatment, before his recovery, before he even knew his own fate, he created the Lance Armstrong Foundation in 1997. This marked the beginning of Lance's life as an advocate for people living with cancer and a world representative for the cancer community. Lance Armstrong's victories in the 1999-2005 Tours de France are inspiring, but the battle against cancer has just begun-not just for him, but for all cancer survivors and people just like him who think cancer could not affect them. He plans to lead this fight, and he hopes that you join him. His courageous battle has impaired many to live everyday like it is their last. This is a life he owes to cancer. This is his choice to live strong. Through his battle Lance started the Lance Armstrong Foundation.

The Lance Armstrong Foundation's history is short but important in the field of cancer research. Based in Austin, Texas and founded in 1997 by professional cyclist and cancer survivor Lance Armstrong. "...The Lance Armstrong Foundation exists to enhance the quality of life for those living with, through and beyond cancer" ("Lance Armstrong Foundation Supports"). The Lance Armstrong Foundation was created to provide cancer patients with information, knowledge, and attitude that are needed to successfully deal with their cancer and its inevitable treatments. It promotes physical well-being as well as emotional support for cancer victims as well as their families and friends. According to sports writer John Doyle, "The Lance Armstrong Foundation is a charitable organization that provides supports for people with cancer." The ultimate goal for the foundation is to fund and further the area of cancer research. In the next ten to twenty years the Lance Armstrong Foundation hopes to have donated enough funds to cancer research outlets all across the world and have a cure for all forms and types of cancer. They have spent more than $9.6 million granted toward cancer survivorship and cancer research, more than $1.7 million invested in the development of five comprehensive cancer survivorship centers across the United States, and nearly $1.6 million invested in survivorship education and outreach initiatives. "The amount of money Armstrong has landed for cancer research is pretty staggering; a sign that he is indeed dedicated ("Armstrong to help raise money"). The countless projects the Lance Armstrong Foundation has been involved in has changed they way money for cancer research is donated in United States and all across the world.

Through past and current fundraising projects the Lance Armstrong Foundation has donated millions to fund cancer research. Over the ten-year existence of the Lance Armstrong Foundation they have been involved in countless community events and projects to help raise money for cancer research across the United States. One of the most successful projects was the worldwide fundraising endeavor of the LIVESTRONG Bracelet. Writer Herman Tumurcuoglu states, "Bracelet is a piece of jewelry that embraces the wrist and enhances the beauty of a slender hand". A bracelet can be worn as a fashion statement and also as fundraising endeavor. "The bright yellow, $1 rubber bracelets have become a fashion icon, adorning the wrists of more than 21 million people worldwide, from actress Pamela Anderson to U.S. presidential candidate John Kerry"("Wristband Yellow"). With many Hollywood stars like Bono and Will Smith wearing the yellow bracelets, sales skyrocketed to a point where bracelets sold out in most stores across the country ("Going For Yellow") The yellow bracelets were sold for one dollar and 100% of the proceeds went to fund cancer research. The Lance Armstrong Foundation has sold more than 70 million wristbands nationwide, in more than 60 countries and in every continent. The success of the campaign is a testament to the reality that nearly everyone is affected in some way by cancer. However, the most inforamtional project the Lance Armstrong Foundation has introduced to the country is known as the LIVESTRONG Survivorship Notebook. The notebook provides information on the physical, practical and emotional topics of cancer survivorship, such as after effects of treatment, to help those affected by cancer navigate and take control of their cancer experience. The Notebook covers a variety of issues, ranging from financial and estate planning to suggestions for record-keeping of surgery dates, changes in physical and emotional health, medications taken, chemotherapy and radiation treatments, and follow-up appointments. The Survivorship Notebook also provides stories from other cancer survivors and additional resources available. In other words the LIVESTRONG Survivorship Notebook provides current people around the United States that are dealing