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Philanthropic Organizations
Lance Armstrong Foundation
Founder: Lance Armstrong
Area of interest: Cancer
Notable projects/programs:
- Wear Yellow Campaign
- Survivorship Centers
- LiveStrong Day
More about The Lance Armstrong Foundation:
When world-renowned cyclist Lance Armstrong was 25, he was diagnosed with testicular cancer. Worse, it had already advanced, spreading to as far as the brain, just as he was making waves as the winner of World Championships, the Tour de Pont, and Tour de France stages.
The Lance Armstrong Foundation (LAF) was formed in 1997. Based in Austin, Texas, the Lance Armstrong Foundation is a philanthropic organization that works for the empowerment and ultimately, the survivorship, of cancer patients. The philanthropy foundation also strives to educate the public in general about this disease.
To these ends, the LAF is notable for erecting the LIVESTRONG Survivorship Center of Excellence, a network of survivorship centers that support survivors of cancer. In this view, the LAF has collaborated with medical centers to provide directly the necessary services for survival.
The LAF also has ample representation in Capitol Hill, where it aims to lobby lawmakers into passing crucial laws on health policies regarding cancer.
LAF has also developed programs for cancer patient aftercare. In 2002, LAF partnered with CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) to bring about the National Action Plan for Cancer Survivorship: Advancing Public Health Strategies. This is a public health initiative that raises awareness for cancer survivorship.
Seeing the relative inadequacy of the science of cancer, LAF supports clinical research, conferring research grants. Yearly, these philanthropic grants could reach around $75,000, with $50,000 for the Young Investigator research grants alone. To date, the LAF has given more than $19.1 million in research. Moreover, LAF also sponsors CBPR (community-based participatory research). It serves as a forum for researchers and concerned citizens to tackle pertinent issues. LAF funding for research grants were incepted in 1998.
In addition, the philanthropic foundation has sponsored, to the tune of $6.1 million, nonprofit organizations in the US through its community program, launched in 2001.
Since May 2004, the LAF is already synonymous with its LiveStrong wristbands. Made by Nike, these wristbands are emblazoned with Lance's mantra, "Live Strong." Costing $1 apiece, the wristbands have sold 47.5 million, raising over $55 million in funds.