The LIVESTRONG Conundrum

Written by Steve Mulloy, Gardner, MA

LIVESTRONG. For a very long time you saw it everywhere. It was one of the most recognizable charities in the country.

Started in 1997 by cyclist Lance Armstrong it was created to help cancer patients and survivors. The charity gained prominence with the success of its founder, and notable cancer survivor, Lance Armstrong. In 1996 Armstrong was diagnosed with testicular cancer, which eventually spread to his brain, lungs, and abdomen. His outlook looked dim. The consensus: he would not win this fight.

Courtesy: whspawprint.com

Miraculously, a year later, Armstrong was declared cancer-free. He resumed riding. From 1999 to 2005 Armstrong won the Tour de France—the greatest cycling event in the world—7 times, a record. Not only had Armstrong become an international celebrity, he became the everlasting symbol—a person, diagnosed with cancer, had overcome the odds.

With his newfound fame Armstrong built LIVESTRONG into one of the most influential charities in the world. Millions of dollars were donated. But it all changed in 2012 when—after years of suspicion—Armstrong was stripping of his Tour de France wins for using performance-enhancing drugs.

LIVESTRONG needed a makeover. That’s what happens when the face of a company becomes worldwide pariah. Armstrong stepped down from management and LIVESTRONG tried—as best it could—to forge distance from him.

Therein lies the nub of the issue—for me and, I surmise, for many of you.

Courtesy: livestrong.com

I still wear my LIVESTRONG bracelet. It has been glued to my wrist for nearly a decade. I have a backup just in case the one I wear breaks. I know when it’s summertime because I have a tan line on my wrist. I will never take it off. In fact, I want LIVESTRONG tattooed on my body: it’s something I carry with me every day of my life.

Yet, it still get asked the question–over and over again, the same question: “How can you wear that?”

Wait. Say that again! “How can you still wear your LIVESTRONG bracelet?

I’m shocked, each and every time the questions comes up. Do people believe that I wear the bracelet because of Lance Armstrong? It isn’t about Lance Armstrong. And it isn’t about LIVESTRONG.

When I was younger, someone very close to me was diagnosed with cancer. My family adopted these bracelets as a symbol of love and support. Even after cancer was beaten, we continue to wear bracelets to reminder ourselves of what we had been through. To this day, I look at that little yellow bracelet … I look at it with a great sense of pride. It’s motivation to live life to the best of my ability.

Courtesy: twitter.com

Why should Lance Armstrong’s indiscretions taint what is, at its core, a worthwhile and valuable organization? This is where a big issue with athletes and celebrities comes to the fore. We put these men and women on pedestals: there’s nowhere for most of them to go but down.

Personally, I think Lance Armstrong is a Grade-A Dirt Bag. But, at the very same time, I don’t know why his drug use should afflict such pain on a charity that’s devoted to helping people afflicted with cancer.

How does Tiger Woods’ spouse-cheating relate to his golf?  Should I not enjoy watching him play? Why do we look at men like Mark McGwire, Roger Clemens, and Barry Bonds as monsters? There is a line, of course (e.g., Aaron Hernandez, Ray Rice, Mike Tyson, i.e., murderers, rapists, and wife-beaters), but there’s also the issue acting like we’re “The Morality Police.”

Courtesy: eonline.com

If you don’t want to cheer for them, that’s OK. If you hope Alex Rodriguez breaks his legs and never plays again, have a blast. But why discredit everything that a person has done based only on mistakes he or she has made on fields of play?

That’s where we need to make a separation. Lance Armstrong may be the ultimate example. Armstrong cheated at cycling. For years he deceived. He lied. He threw friends and colleagues under the bus. From where I stand he’s a turd, a major asshole. But he also helped create an incredibly influential and valuable charity, an organization that has helped people all over the world confront the deadliest disease.

Not everyone involved with LIVESTRONG is a cheater or a liar. And not everything Armstrong does is bad.

Allow these people to lead their lives. Don’t let their mistakes overshadow great things they’ve done.

And let me wear my LIVESTRONG in peace.