I have a lot of things I need to blog about. I have overdue product reviews coming out of my ears. I have topics that have been brewing in my mind for days. But as I sit here at the computer, I cannot focus on any of it. I am distracted by the latest news regarding Lance Armstrong’s admission to taking performance enhancing drugs in an interview with Oprah. The dissappointment, the accusations, the headlines…the news is everywhere. My mind is a little numb over it.
But there is one thing I am sure about.
A few months ago, at Thanksgiving dinner, to be exact, I was asked by someone I had just met that afternoon why I was still wearing my Livestrong bracelet, now that Lance had been convicted of doping and stripped of all of his titles. Without hesitation, I told him exactly why I was still wearing it.
And now, my answer is still the same today as it was on Thanksgiving, and the same as it always will be.
The yellow livestrong foundation bracelet I’ve worn for the last 7 years will stay on my wrist. Because for me LIVESTRONG was never about Lance Armstrong. Nor was it ever about cycling.
It’s about her.
And her.
And them.
And her.
And these guys.
And her.
And her.
And it’s about every single person who has ever been told those three horrible words: “you have cancer”. It’s about everyone who, instead of rolling over and becoming a victim, turned to look cancer in the eye and say
“YOU WILL NOT STOP ME.”
These people are my heroes.
These people are what LIVESTRONG is about.
Lance was right, it’s not about the bike. It’s not about the lies, it’s not about the drugs, and it’s not about the money.
Its about those who bravely fought.
And it’s about those we lost too soon, who never gave up hope. We will never forget them, and for them, we will never stop fighting.
LIVESTRONG, to me, is about never, ever, giving up. And for that, I will continue to proudly wear my yellow bracelet.
Life is a beautiful gift my friends. LIVE IT.
LIVESTRONG.
H Love
This touches my heart. Thankz for caring so much.
Beingmorethanmommy
That was wonderful.
Denise (DaDivaRunning)
You made me cry, especially when I got to Keri’s picture.
<3 you Princess StinkerBelle!
Sheila Murphy
This was beautiful Heather!
Amanda
This post is great. I had to go back and edit a post this afternoon due to all the questions about why I am just now choosing to support this cause.
Jenn
I love this post! You’re so right – it was never about him or the races that he won. Live Strong is a way of life, not a way to support Lance. Way to keep rocking the bracelet!
Colleen
beautiful post- well said!
Shannon C
So well wrote! I still wear mine with pride!
Christina
Beautiful post Heather! Great message – this is about so much more than Lance or cycling or whatever. Soooo much more than that.
Kristen L
Beautiful post.
Toni @ Running, Loving, Living
Great post!!!
[email protected]
Made me cry this morning. Loved the pictures and all that you said. From a two-time cancer survivor who just ran my second full marathon at Disney this weekend, THANK YOU. Beautiful!
DAWNIESLIFE
Well said. I really enjoyed reading this and I totally agree!
Amber
My feelings exactly. Sure what he did was wrong and stupid but that doesn’t change what he has done for the cancer world. I don’t support him, I support finding cures.
Unknown
THANK YOU HEATHER!!!! I am honored!!
Kim
What a great way to express your support and caring! Livestrong is about all those people you pictured (and so many more!!!) not a single man.
Great post!!!!
Tenecia
Beautiful & I completely agree!
T.
fancy nancy
Well said!!! It is about the people who are fighting the fight!!
Shelley
Awesome post and well said. Its about people who are fighting for their life.
kelly
Exactly!!!
Tambre Leighn
Why now you’re being asked? Because now is the perfect time to stand for the cause and the organization and those who are helped every day. Thank you for reminding those who need it about the big picture that some of us have seen all along. Beautiful post.
Scott Joy
So beautifully said. Thank you.
Robin
I am so glad someone said it correctly! It’s not about him racing…it’s about what he overcame CANCER!
Running With Charlene
Wonderful blog and heartfelt. Thank you for sharing.
Wendy
As a cancer survivor myself, I am so PISSED I can’t even explain. Because he based it all on his lies and he involved cancer in those lies. I appreciate this post more than I can say because even though he lied, he did in fact have cancer. And it is about the survivors and those who lost their lives to cancer.
So while he is living the lap of luxury, is a cheat and let’s face it will still deny, deny, deny, nobody can take away what the foundation has done for those with cancer.
Thank your for this post because I really needed to realize this.
Runner Maybe
well written, it is bummer when a role model fails us. But I remind myself that we ALL make mistakes and we are taught to forgive and move on. I hope the world can see that Livestrong is about CANCER, one man made many mistakes, but Cancer will still be here.
Momshomerun
That’s a beautiful thought! I’m glad you didn’t let the Lance thing spoil this for you.
Anonymous
Thank you for this 🙂 I was travelling the weekend after the USADA banned Armstrong, last November. I went through four airports, and saw several people (some college athletes) wearing Livestrong stuff (bracelets, jackets, hoodies…), and made a point to thank them. Because the organization isn’t Lance, and he isn’t them. And they need and deserve all the support they can get – and so do cancer sufferers and victims. That’s bigger than any man, whatever mistakes he may have made. So thank you… from Austin, Tx.
Carolina John
I’m really glad you put that out there Heather. People are getting so anti-Lance it makes cancer seem secondary, and it never is. thank you.
Brenna Kate Simonds, Living Unveiled
I’m with you, Heather! I wear it for my father, who for 2 months and 6 days has been cancer-free in the arms of Jesus. In fact, since his passing, I no longer wear the bracelet he gave me when I ran my first cancer-related 5K in his honor; I wear the bracelet he was wearing when he lost his battle with cancer, but won the race of life!
Cupcake Kelly
I completely agree. Beautiful post.
dvilliotti
Gave me goosebumps. Thank you!
Debbie @ Live from La Quinta
A lovely post. I feel the same way, so thank you for expressing my feelings too in such a beautiful way.
Wendy Flynn
Heather – What a beautiful and well-written post. Your point is right on target. Thanks for making about about those who fight cancer. Good for you!
Todd
I will be borrowing a couple of your lines…. THANK YOU!
Lindsay @ The Lean Green Bean
could not agree more! beautifully written.
Christine
This is a beautiful post and you’ve said it perfectly. It’s about so much more than Lance and cycling. Thank you for this.
RunJillyBean
Thank you for this beautifully awesome post.
[email protected]
That is perfect. You hit the nail on the head and put focus where it should be…on the people who Livestrong everyday of their lives. Thank you!!!!
KellyG
Well said! I had to defend my choice of supporting Susan G Komen when that all came down last year. I wish I had said it as beautifully as you did! It is about finding a cure and supporting those who need the foundations!
Andrea (Beatittreadmillcreeper)
Truly Moving post. Thank you.