So Livestrong funds no longer go to cancer research

[shootingstar]

http://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor....html?page=all

Yes, he was a great athlete (even though we're not sure if he doped). But seriously, in the cycling world there's alot of other cool guys who are ..just more modest and plug along helping their community along without much fanfare.

So it seems the Livestrong Foundation (or whatever) stops giving donor money to cancer research. More on awareness, read the rest. And still people think they are giving to cancer research.

Of course, there's the bigger issue of how much these large fundraising events do actually fund directly patient care and research vs. administrative costs of the fundraising organizations. Not an easy one and one that requires the donor to do their own digging around.

I know my sister, a physician, did use to inquire directly to the charities that she gave/fundraised, where the money went in terms of % of programs to care/treatment for the patients.

[ny biker]

Actually, if you look at their website, they have always been clear about where the money goes. Their priority is helping people who have cancer, during and after treatment. Not medical research. Lance said from the beginning that he started the foundation because he felt kind of lost after his treatment ended, like his life was completely changed and he still had lots of issues to deal with but he didn't know where to begin because his professional support system (doctors and nurses) were largely finished with their task.

There's no conspiracy.

[Reesha]

I am all for an organization that does more to help affected individuals directly than to line the pockets of biomedical company shareholders.

[Pax]

Actually, if you look at their website, they have always been clear about where the money goes. Their priority is helping people who have cancer, during and after treatment. Not medical research. Lance said from the beginning that he started the foundation because he felt kind of lost after his treatment ended, like his life was completely changed and he still had lots of issues to deal with but he didn't know where to begin because his professional support system (doctors and nurses) were largely finished with their task.

There's no conspiracy.

Absolutely agree.

My friend who is in the end stages of stage IV melanoma called them after she was first diagnosed. Our town doesn't have much in the way of melanoma care and Live Strong helped her find providers who could help. They worked as an information resource when no one else knew what to tell her.

[Skierchickie]

All I know is, a year ago, when my DH was waiting to have a section of his colon removed after a tumor caused his appendicitis, he contacted LAF. They put him in touch with the Navigate Cancer Foundation (I think they are partially funded by LAF, but not sure). Navigate Cancer was by far THE BEST resource we found. I tell anyone and everyone I talk to whose life has been touched by cancer. At a time when you are the most bewildered and have to make some very important decisions with no prior experience, and are just plain lost, Navigate Cancer is the most caring, helpful organization imaginable. The guidance we got from them was what kept us going. And it didn't cost us a penny. When we die, we may just leave everything to the Navigate Cancer Foundation.

Shameless plug, maybe. But without LAF we wouldn't have found this incredible resource. Research is critical, but to have somebody to help you wade through the maze is what you need when it happens to you.

[MillieNZ]

Actually, if you look at their website, they have always been clear about where the money goes. Their priority is helping people who have cancer, during and after treatment. Not medical research. Lance said from the beginning that he started the foundation because he felt kind of lost after his treatment ended, like his life was completely changed and he still had lots of issues to deal with but he didn't know where to begin because his professional support system (doctors and nurses) were largely finished with their task.

There's no conspiracy.

I felt the same when I finished cancer treatment - anything that goes towards helping cancer patients through the issues of cancer, treatment and moving on afterwards as well as supporting the 'support' person gets my vote and money.

[margo49]

Cancer is an illness not a lifestyle!
That is my objection to the whole "survivorship" concept.

[OakLeaf]

Cancer is an illness not a lifestyle!
That is my objection to the whole "survivorship" concept.

Agree 100%. But it's an illness that "survivors" have to deal with for the rest of their lives, whether or not they're ever declared "cancer-free," and that's the kind of thing I understand LAF helps with. (Besides helping people navigate the system and maintain their lives while they have an active cancer, which is also an enormous challenge.)

There's where I wish there would be more "awareness." Making people who have never had cancer, aware of the everyday challenges of cancer "survivors." Making it okay for "survivors" to acknowledge those challenges.

[indysteel]

Here are a couple of links that might help people better understand what LAF/LIVESTRONG does:

http://www.livestrong.org/What-We-Do

http://www.livestrong.org/App_Themes...anOverview.pdf

[szsz]

There's where I wish there would be more "awareness." Making people who have never had cancer, aware of the everyday challenges of cancer "survivors." Making it okay for "survivors" to acknowledge those challenges.

Thank you for verbalizing this.

While it is useful to consider myself a survivor (as opposed to victim) I don't feel like I'm living a lifestyle; nor do I feel completely truthful when I just say that I had a mastectomy (to avoid mentioning breast cancer.)

[shootingstar]

I appreciate the cancer support services:

I have a father who has prostate cancer @83 yrs. who is worsening every year.

But it's doubtful his hospital, Princess Margeret Hospital in Toronto, which is Canada's oldest and top teaching cancer hospital in Canada was much of a beneficiary of LS since they were fundraising long before LS existed.

But more to the point would be value of I guess, of the Cancer Bike Rides led independent of LS for public awareness.

I just don't relate to the branding of LS to my father. I don't even relate much to the Cancer Bike Rides in all this.

Don't get mad at me. Our family has other complicated needs in terms of support that align more with linguistic specific services for the Chinese community.

[Reesha]

I'm sorry to hear about your father!

I lost my grandmother to alzheimer's and nobody in our family really relates much to the Alzheimer's Association. I think it's just a matter of personal choice and need. I am glad for the things that Livestrong Foundation does on behalf of those that choose to use their services!

[shootingstar]

Thx Reesha for the thought/observation.

I guess I relate to the Cancer Rides more for situations of strength, fun and I know it's for solidarity to be with others who have lost others to cancer or have cancer themselves.

But for myself, just cycling by myself and thinking about loved one without an organized ride of people "celebrating" life or whatever, is enough for me.

I gave some money to the Moustache national campaign for Prostate Cancer several months ago.