Interesting piece on Livestrong

[on3m@n@rmy]

Do you support spending $3.5 million selling t-shirts and calling it a "Program Expense"?

Cancer awareness????

Who the F**K has not heard of cancer in the western world???? I imagine nearly every family in the western world has had a death in the family from cancer. It probably is the most recognised killer in the western world.

Jeez, live$trong is a brand and brands are for making money for the shareholders not for giving 2 cents about people suffering from any illness.

They'll do all they can to push their brand, yep it is a brand, even if it means using people suffering from forms of illness.

You miss my combined point, entirely. Lance was raising only his personal financial awareness. That's been his point of being and cancer was seized upon as an opportunity by both he and Nike. See it for what it is: a fraudulent individual and a notoriously exploitive corporation teaming up for profit.

I’m sorry I misunderstood. I thought you were talking about the Livestrong Cancer Foundation as opposed to a brand of goods. My effing bad. I don’t know anything about T-shirt sales and brands. I’m only talking about the (Livestrong) Cancer Foundation. But if any of the sales goes to support the Livestrong Cancer Foundation then it’s worth it. On the other hand, if none of the proceeds from sales of this brand goes to the Livestrong Cancer Foundation then it is a sham and you and I are on the same side.

When I talked about cancer awareness, I was not talking about getting the word out that cancer is one bad disease that can kick your buttocks. That is just superficial and everyone knows that. What I was talking about is that cancer awareness goes much deeper than the knowledge of the disease itself. Cancer awareness includes knowledge about things cancer victims have to deal with but have no knowledge about at the time of the diagnosis. Things like:
- what services are available to the stricken and families of the stricken
- what support groups are out there to help individuals cope
- what kinds of funding is available
- cancer treatment options
- counseling

All of that is what I was referring to when I mentioned cancer awareness.

If you want an idea what I am talking about, watch the following video to find out what the Livestrong Cancer Foundation does for people who have the disease. It’s only 6 or 7 minutes.

http://livestrong.org/Get-Help/One-On-One-Support/LIVESTRONG-Cancer-Navigation-Center

Now that's worth fighting for, no?

 

[Benotti69]

<snip>

If you want an idea what I am talking about, watch the following video to find out what the Livestrong Cancer Foundation does for people who have the disease. It’s only 6 or 7 minutes.

http://livestrong.org/Get-Help/One-On-One-Support/LIVESTRONG-Cancer-Navigation-Center

Now that's worth fighting for, no?

I wonder where live$trong borrowed all their awareness from and the how to deal with cancer, about what you listed.

When you search for 'Livestrong Cancer Foundation' you get lots of results for lots of different types of 'Cancer foundations' all under the live$trong brand. Remember it is a brand.

This is a brand and they are selling 'awareness' as their product and they are not ploughing profits into helping people they are using those profits to make more money under the veil of helping people.

Live$trong is a brand.

Anywhere you see Live$trong, it is for making money. Ask yourself what it is making profits on?

The Lance Armstrong Foundation is the charity. the What? yeah i know it is totally forgotten about as live$trong, the brand, is being pushed and not the foundation for charity.

 

[on3m@n@rmy]

The Lance Armstrong Foundation is the charity. the What? yeah i know it is totally forgotten about as live$trong, the brand, is being pushed and not the foundation for charity.

that is so true and really does gripe me

 

[Benotti69]

that is so true and really does gripe me

And everybody else who donated their money to it hence the big money spent of lawyers fighting to protect the myth and the recent outrage about the outsie article.

live$trong spend big money protecting its brand. Any one else who starts a '....strong' gets threatened by Live$trong, all part of protecting the brand.

 

[doolols]

live$trong spend big money protecting its brand. Any one else who starts a '....strong' gets threatened by Live$trong, all part of protecting the brand.

Not only that (which is bad enough anyway), there are the expenses in running the business. Nearly $2m on travel expenses? How much did they spend on the party ... errr ... awareness campaign (or whatever it was) in Dublin?

Of the $35m in functional expenses in 2009 from http://www.livestrong.org/pdfs/4-0/2008-2009combinedauditreport less than $5m went on grants and awards. Livestrong is a monster that needs feeding constantly to survive, with just a little bit of its income dolled out to people that need it.

It was a lovely video linked to earlier (it reminded me of Apple promo videos), but what purpose did it fulfil, other than self-serving, self-congratulatory back-slapping?

 

[Benotti69]

Not only that (which is bad enough anyway), there are the expenses in running the business. Nearly $2m on travel expenses? How much did they spend on the party ... errr ... awareness campaign (or whatever it was) in Dublin?

Of the $35m in functional expenses in 2009 from http://www.livestrong.org/pdfs/4-0/2008-2009combinedauditreport less than $5m went on grants and awards. Livestrong is a monster that needs feeding constantly to survive, with just a little bit of its income dolled out to people that need it.

It was a lovely video linked to earlier (it reminded me of Apple promo videos), but what purpose did it fulfil, other than self-serving, self-congratulatory back-slapping?

Live$trong the self-serving, self-congratulatory back-slapping brand of awareness, oh by the way here's a few pamphlets in case you get sick.

 

[doolols]

Live$trong the self-serving, self-congratulatory back-slapping brand of awareness, oh by the way here's a few pamphlets in case you get sick.

PMSL at that

 

[BotanyBay]

When I talked about cancer awareness, I was not talking about getting the word out that cancer is one bad disease that can kick your buttocks. That is just superficial and everyone knows that. What I was talking about is that cancer awareness goes much deeper than the knowledge of the disease itself. Cancer awareness includes knowledge about things cancer victims have to deal with but have no knowledge about at the time of the diagnosis. Things like:
- what services are available to the stricken and families of the stricken
- what support groups are out there to help individuals cope
- what kinds of funding is available
- cancer treatment options
- counseling
.... etc

Yes, all of the above is handled quite nicely by the American Cancer Society. The thinking above is not unique or original. Not only do they fund research, but they do quite a bit in terms of education too.

 

[doolols]

Yes, all of the above is handled quite nicely by the American Cancer Society. The thinking above is not unique or original. Not only do they fund research, but they do quite a bit in terms of education too.

Yes, but do they sell yellow plastic wristbands? And have parties in Dublin?

If not, then they're just not trying hard enough.

 

[Benotti69]

Yes, but do they sell yellow plastic wristbands? And have parties in Dublin?

If not, then they're just not trying hard enough.

I bet they are not even members of The Yellow Rose, now that place is full of awareness.

 

[DirtyWorks]

Yes, but do they sell yellow plastic wristbands? And have parties in Dublin?

If not, then they're just not trying hard enough.

And they aren't monetizing americancancersociety.com by filling it with search engine optimized junk to generate ad revenue as an entirely separate for-profit entity that separately benefits the chairman of the non-profit charity.

Where are the American Cancer Society exercise bikes? The CEO of the ACS charity personally benefits from this too. It's CEO tithing. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tithe

Where's the creativity ACS? Where's the religious fervor?

 

[doolols]

And they aren't monetizing americancancersociety.com by filling it with search engine optimized junk to generate ad revenue as an entirely separate for-profit entity that separately benefits the chairman of the non-profit charity.

Where are the American Cancer Society exercise bikes? The CEO of the ACS charity personally benefits from this too. It's CEO tithing. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tithe

Where's the creativity ACS? Where's the religious fervor?

If only we knew someone who could advise them properly, and tell them where they're going wrong.

 

[Fausto's Schnauzer]

Livestrong on NPR

Dang, I just caught the tail end of an announcement of an upcoming NPR program on Livestrong, but didn't hear any details as to which show or when. From the bit I heard it parallels the Outside Mag piece. Anybody else here hear that? I don't want to miss it.

Thanks all,
FS

 

[doolols]

Apparently, Bill Gifford is appearing on a Canadian show tomorrow to talk about the article and LA.

(From a Gifford Tweet earlier):
Canadian friends: I'm going on "Q" tomorrow a.m. to discuss Outside/Livestrong article. http://www.cbc.ca/q/

 

[patricknd]

I’m sorry I misunderstood. I thought you were talking about the Livestrong Cancer Foundation as opposed to a brand of goods. My effing bad. I don’t know anything about T-shirt sales and brands. I’m only talking about the (Livestrong) Cancer Foundation. But if any of the sales goes to support the Livestrong Cancer Foundation then it’s worth it. On the other hand, if none of the proceeds from sales of this brand goes to the Livestrong Cancer Foundation then it is a sham and you and I are on the same side.

When I talked about cancer awareness, I was not talking about getting the word out that cancer is one bad disease that can kick your buttocks. That is just superficial and everyone knows that. What I was talking about is that cancer awareness goes much deeper than the knowledge of the disease itself. Cancer awareness includes knowledge about things cancer victims have to deal with but have no knowledge about at the time of the diagnosis. Things like:
- what services are available to the stricken and families of the stricken
- what support groups are out there to help individuals cope
- what kinds of funding is available
- cancer treatment options
- counseling

All of that is what I was referring to when I mentioned cancer awareness.

If you want an idea what I am talking about, watch the following video to find out what the Livestrong Cancer Foundation does for people who have the disease. It’s only 6 or 7 minutes.

http://livestrong.org/Get-Help/One-On-One-Support/LIVESTRONG-Cancer-Navigation-Center

Now that's worth fighting for, no?

there you go being reasonable again. you'll learn one day...

 

[Race Radio]

I’m sorry I misunderstood. I thought you were talking about the Livestrong Cancer Foundation as opposed to a brand of goods. My effing bad. I don’t know anything about T-shirt sales and brands. I’m only talking about the (Livestrong) Cancer Foundation. But if any of the sales goes to support the Livestrong Cancer Foundation then it’s worth it. On the other hand, if none of the proceeds from sales of this brand goes to the Livestrong Cancer Foundation then it is a sham and you and I are on the same side.

When I talked about cancer awareness, I was not talking about getting the word out that cancer is one bad disease that can kick your buttocks. That is just superficial and everyone knows that. What I was talking about is that cancer awareness goes much deeper than the knowledge of the disease itself. Cancer awareness includes knowledge about things cancer victims have to deal with but have no knowledge about at the time of the diagnosis. Things like:
- what services are available to the stricken and families of the stricken
- what support groups are out there to help individuals cope
- what kinds of funding is available
- cancer treatment options
- counseling

All of that is what I was referring to when I mentioned cancer awareness.

If you want an idea what I am talking about, watch the following video to find out what the Livestrong Cancer Foundation does for people who have the disease. It’s only 6 or 7 minutes.

http://livestrong.org/Get-Help/One-On-One-Support/LIVESTRONG-Cancer-Navigation-Center

Now that's worth fighting for, no?

Cancer awareness is a valid goal and Livestrong does some excellent work. They are clearly trying to "Put the cookies back in the jar" by being more transparent and spending a greater percentage on grants and programs then ever before....they also have wasted millions promoting Armstrong and that is the key issue. The millions of dollars wasted on promoting Armstrong over the year do little for the cause and divert donations from what would be more efferent channels.

That is worth correcting no?

 

[thehog]

I like this video, I do. I really do. But. There is always a but...

The little film gives the impression that the Navigation Centre handles the clients/patients beginning to end. They do not. They start with the patient and then they farm them to either to "approved" outsourced agencies or give them a list of other numbers to call.

As from Gifford's article only 207 people have come into the office from inception. The rest via email or phone sent directly to the outsources or other agencies.

Livestrong are not a patient care centre as the video appears to suggest. They simply do not provide this function.

If you watch closely the Spanish guy is handed a brochure on where to go. He then heads off with wife.

This is good work - it has viable merit in the process - but I feel the film is suggesting that it does more than it does in reality.

Lets be fair here... 207 people in 6 years? You think those two people handle all the calls and emails? Come on.

I’m sorry I misunderstood. I thought you were talking about the Livestrong Cancer Foundation as opposed to a brand of goods. My effing bad. I don’t know anything about T-shirt sales and brands. I’m only talking about the (Livestrong) Cancer Foundation. But if any of the sales goes to support the Livestrong Cancer Foundation then it’s worth it. On the other hand, if none of the proceeds from sales of this brand goes to the Livestrong Cancer Foundation then it is a sham and you and I are on the same side.

When I talked about cancer awareness, I was not talking about getting the word out that cancer is one bad disease that can kick your buttocks. That is just superficial and everyone knows that. What I was talking about is that cancer awareness goes much deeper than the knowledge of the disease itself. Cancer awareness includes knowledge about things cancer victims have to deal with but have no knowledge about at the time of the diagnosis. Things like:
- what services are available to the stricken and families of the stricken
- what support groups are out there to help individuals cope
- what kinds of funding is available
- cancer treatment options
- counseling

All of that is what I was referring to when I mentioned cancer awareness.

If you want an idea what I am talking about, watch the following video to find out what the Livestrong Cancer Foundation does for people who have the disease. It’s only 6 or 7 minutes.

http://livestrong.org/Get-Help/One-On-One-Support/LIVESTRONG-Cancer-Navigation-Center

Now that's worth fighting for, no?

 

[AussieGoddess]

I’m sorry I misunderstood. I thought you were talking about the Livestrong Cancer Foundation as opposed to a brand of goods. My effing bad. I don’t know anything about T-shirt sales and brands. I’m only talking about the (Livestrong) Cancer Foundation. But if any of the sales goes to support the Livestrong Cancer Foundation then it’s worth it. On the other hand, if none of the proceeds from sales of this brand goes to the Livestrong Cancer Foundation then it is a sham and you and I are on the same side.

When I talked about cancer awareness, I was not talking about getting the word out that cancer is one bad disease that can kick your buttocks. That is just superficial and everyone knows that. What I was talking about is that cancer awareness goes much deeper than the knowledge of the disease itself. Cancer awareness includes knowledge about things cancer victims have to deal with but have no knowledge about at the time of the diagnosis. Things like:
- what services are available to the stricken and families of the stricken
- what support groups are out there to help individuals cope
- what kinds of funding is available
- cancer treatment options
- counseling

All of that is what I was referring to when I mentioned cancer awareness.

If you want an idea what I am talking about, watch the following video to find out what the Livestrong Cancer Foundation does for people who have the disease. It’s only 6 or 7 minutes.

http://livestrong.org/Get-Help/One-On-One-Support/LIVESTRONG-Cancer-Navigation-Center

Now that's worth fighting for, no?

to be totally honest - they do do a small amount of good work. The problem is that most of that work is a duplicate of the services that patients receive from their doctor.

When I was diagnosed with Luekaemia, my specialist provided me with an enormous amount of information about the disease itself, my treatment options, support groups, health and lifestyle information, insurance and needs, setting up management plans, coping with side effects of drugs, health and wellbeing programs and their importance.

Every time I see him, he talks about not only the medical side, but how to live a decent quality of life, how to access services etc.

All the things that Livestrong supposedly does.

Livestrong dont actually provide any of these services - they just direct you to other places that provide them ..... and promote themselves as being so wonderful for directing you.

As a recipient of services, I would rather the funds being donated get given to the actual provider of services, and as a donor I am pretty careful to ensure that the charities I support are the ones that actually DO something with the money.

 

[BotanyBay]

I like this video, I do. I really do. But. There is always a but...

But, but, but. Everyone always has such a big "but". Let's talk about your big "but", Hog.

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

But, but, but. Everyone always has such a big "but". Let's talk about your big "but", Hog.

BotanyBay is the Sir Mix-a-Lot of the Cyclingnews forums.

 

[Berzin]

Livestrong, either the .com or the .org, is crap.

When they disappear after its' become common knowledge that Armstrong is a fraud and a cheat, their legacy will be shared by it's founder and they will sail into oblivion like they deserve.

And then people will go back to living their normal lives, free of those stupid yellow wristbands once "Hope rides no more".

 

[spetsa]

How long before Phil Knight comes out and rips the Feds for ruining LA and his "Nike legacy"? This guy is another example of those whom LA was surrounded by and most likely guided by.

"This much is clear to me: If there is a villain in this tragedy, it lies in that investigation and not in Joe Paterno's response," Knight said.

http://espn.go.com/college-football...e-nittany-lions-memorial-exposes-anger-firing

 

[BotanyBay]

BotanyBay is the Sir Mix-a-Lot of the Cyclingnews forums.

And I caint de-ny.

 

[doolols]

I've been trying to reconcile the PDF accounts and the website "Where the Money Goes"

http://www.livestrong.org/pdfs/4-0/2010
http://www.livestrong.org/What-We-Do/Our-Approach/Where-the-Money-Goes

I've now given up. I have no idea how they can justify "81 percent of every dollar raised went directly to programmatic funding". Sounds like nonsense to me.

 

[thehog]

I've been trying to reconcile the PDF accounts and the website "Where the Money Goes"

http://www.livestrong.org/pdfs/4-0/2010
http://www.livestrong.org/What-We-Do/Our-Approach/Where-the-Money-Goes

I've now given up. I have no idea how they can justify "81 percent of every dollar raised went directly to programmatic funding". Sounds like nonsense to me.

Dim did a lovely pie chart of the program expense breakdown. The travel and legal slices were hefty.

The graphics don't depict reality. To the casual observer you'd think 7% is spent on admin and 80% goes into help cancer people. But they're able to draft in a lot of their costs into programs.

Also the sizes of the slices in the pie are not in perspective of the percentage amounts. They're making the 80% look bigger than 80%.

But of smoke and mirrors going on.