JamieLindsay Mon, 2011-03-28 16:18
Race Radio LIES
By Jamie Lindsay. In the comment section of just about every article about Lance Armstrong an anonymous coward who goes by the name “Race Radio” spews hate towards Armstrong and, despicably, The LIVESTRONG Foundation. I could care less about this clown’s spineless rants about the man, but his LIES, preposterous half-truths, and libel towards LIVESTRONG need to be addressed. You see Mr. Radio, all of us have a right to our own opinions, but none of us have the right to our own FACTS!
FACT: LIVESTRONG is not a cancer research focused organization, rather, it is a SURVIVORSHIP focused Foundation. Read or watch their Manifesto and you will see, “We kick in the minute you are diagnosed!” A careful reading of that manifesto will also clearly reveal their entire mission. A review of its actions demonstrates to the entire cancer community that LIVESTRONG is a leader in the fight against cancer.
FACT: Whom did the American Cancer Society ask to attend their recent Washington press conference? LIVESTRONG!
FACT: In 2009 LIVESTRONG hosted the world’s FIRST Global Cancer Summit and paid for the travel and expenses of over 500 delegates from 60 nations and LIVESTRONG staff attending in support of the global cancer awareness event. That event and travel to support three LIVESTRONG Challenges, RAGBRAI, several marathons, and other fundraising activities caused a spike in the LIVESTRONG travel budget.
FACT: The only person who did not have his travel to the LIVESTRONG Global Summit paid for by LIVESTRONG was Lance Armstrong.
FACT: It is the policy and practice the Foundation NEVER pays for any business/personal jet travel for Armstrong. NEVER!
FACT: Armstrong often offers open seats on his plane for LIVESTRONG Staff travel at NO COST! Obviously this results in savings to the Foundation.
FACT: The Demand Media deal is a standard licensing agreement with the Foundation for use of the LIVESTRONG Brand. Just like Nike, Oakley, Radio Shack, FRS and several others, they PAY the Foundation to use the LIVESTRONG Brand. These licensing agreements result in millions of dollars going to the fight against cancer!
FACT: Just like the other companies, Demand Media has signed a personal services contract with Lance Armstrong to add his celebrity status to their products. The only thing which makes the Demand Media deal different is as a new venture, Demand Media wanted to exchange services for a piece of the action and preserve cash, so Armstrong took shares in the company. A fair question to ask might be “would these companies be as interested in supporting LIVESTRONG without Armstrong’s participation in their product marketing?”
FACT: Demand Media operates LIVESTRONG.COM to sell products, many of which generate donations to LIVESTRONG. Of course a marketing company will generate more hits to their website than a Foundation which gives away FREE information about fighting cancer. Hopefully, hits on the Foundation website will never spike as that will indicate all of us have more to do in the fight against cancer than we fear.
FACT: The money LIVESTRONG spent on advertising was spent in large part on global anti-stigma campaigns, Cancer Policy Platforms, Underserved Constituents, Community Programs, and grassroots advocacy. Not the sort of stuff on which one plasters their logo, but necessary to strengthen the fight against cancer.
FACT: In 2009 LIVESTRONG spent approximately $800K on legal expenses, about $500K of which was spent in Court defending against infringement on the LIVESTRONG Brand, which they won. Money well spent since the brand, through licensing agreements and other things brings in millions of dollars to the fight against cancer. The line to which you refer in the LIVESTRONG annual report reads “Legal and Professional.” The FACT is the rest of the money was spent on other non-legal professional services.
FACT: The “investigator” looking into Armstrong’s activities while riding used to work for the IRS. If there were an inkling of anything your allege being even CLOSE to the truth, the IRS would have acted to shut down LIVESTRONG.
FACT: 81 cents of every dollar donated to LIVESTRONG goes directly to cancer related programs. That puts LIVESTRONG near the top of charities in efficiency!
FACT: Armstrong dedicates a lot of personal time to advance the fight against cancer, and that is time he could otherwise spend enriching himself doing things like speaking engagements or commercials.
FACT: All of your allegations and baseless speculations are utter nonsense and intended only to damage LIVESTRONG.
FACT: I have used my name as a sign in for these comments, and YOU are??? FACT: I do not work for LIVESTRONG. I am an airline pilot, business owner, and LIVESTRONG supporter. I am a proud cancer survivor largely due to the information provided by the dedicated and incredibly hard working staff of cancer hating zealots at LIVESTRONG Headquarters in Austin. They deserve respect and NOT your lies and other garbage!
FACT: I have no idea why you would waste your time lying about the LIVESTRONG Foundation, perhaps at some point you were somehow mistreated by someone at LIVESTRONG, or Armstrong out climbed one of your spandex-clad heroes, or your parents just raised an idiot, but frankly I have had enough of your lies and know more will be coming because that is all you have. Regardless, I HOPE the LIVESTRONG Foundation will take action against you by subpoenaing your IP address from this publication and others, and then sue your a$$ off.
FACT: I hope prior to suing your a$$ off, LIVESTRONG lawyers are compassionate enough to give you time to remove your head!