Tonight, this blog goes personal. I hope you can all respect that I'm writing from my heart as a 3x cancer survivor. I equally respect that we may all have differing opinions, as we wrap our minds around Lance Armstrong's interview today.
I will speak candidly...I go by what I know...and, it's about more than the bike. LIVESTRONG is bigger than one person. I watch LS volunteer leaders up late at night trying to figure out how to better support cancer patients and families in their local communities. I see countries that had zero pain meds in their borders start providing them to suffering end-stage cancer patients in pain. I see support for cancer survivorship issues, fighting on behalf of patients to get their insurance companies to pay for clinical trials.... ---- people may think that this "doesn't apply to them" but one day it might. And the gap this charity fills is very different than a lot of other charities (equally amazing, but just different focus). There is more to that charity than just one hero (Lance). There are hundreds. Thousands. They will have my support because they had my back when things were tough for me...including Lance. He is a hero to cancer survivors, and nobody can take that "win" against cancer away...EVER.
Am I saddened and frustrated by all this...and a little heartsick? Sure. I'm not perfect either though, and I've chosen not to judge. Today, I lean on what I know... The cancer hero that stayed in my corner (even during the TdF) and the charity that continues to be here to support me through all the complications that survivorship can bring a person. And, withdrawing support from a charity providing unique services to cancer survivors, isn't something Im willing to do. I respect other's opinions, but it hurts the wrong people. In San Diego, where I live (and all around the world), those funds go to grants for important local charities... many that you know and love. How sad if those stop? Thanks for reading today. Regardless of what you may feel today, I know that you are all in the my corner of kicking the Big C to the curb, and for that tonight, I have a lot of gratitude.
CURES ROCK. (Cancer does not.) Onwards in the fight!!
P.S. For those reading, in case you were wondering what the LIVESTRONG Foundation does for people impacted by cancer...www.livestrong.org/wecanhelp . If anyone is in need of these wonderful services, please do not hesitate to call Livestrong at 1 (855) 220-7777. For the official statement from LIVESTRONG tonight: http://blog.livestrong.org/2013/01/17/official-statement-from-the-livestrong-foundation-2/
Thursday, January 17, 2013
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Donate & fight to kick cancer to the curb!
500 Miles. 17 days. 2 States. 1 Mission to Cure Cancer.
January 1 - 17, 2010
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Hi Jules - very well said. I am much saddened and also a little heartsick that Lance had cheated and then lied about it so belligerently. There is no good excuse for that. But that does not change what he managed to do to build the great Livestrong organization. I hope it will survive and thrive despite this. I lost a friend Monday to cancer. He was 43 and a 24 year leukemia survivor, and a total inspiration. So there is much more to happen before we can say "cancer is cured." and during that time before a cure, people with cancer will still need support. Livestrong is a huge advocate for that. On a personal note, when I was diagnosed in the spring of 2002, a cyclist friend of mine loaned me "It's Not About the Bike," and I got a great deal of inspiration from that as I smeared on my warpaint and prepared for a tough fight. Thinking of you, and hope you are well. Cures Rock! Art
ReplyDeleteWell said. I agree, as you know (thanks for stopping by my post!). I just hope that most people see it the way you & I do. Companies pulling sponsorship $$ is one thing, but I hope no one pulls $$ for the org. Livestrong does too much good to be harmed by one man's failings.
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