Nike Distances Itself from Armstrong Charity

Global sporting apparel giant Nike will stop producing goods, including the iconic yellow wristband, for cancer charity LIVESTRONG, set up by disgraced cyclist Lance Armstrong.

In an online statement the global company said “Nike has made the decision to stop producing new LIVESTRONG products after its Holiday 2013 line. We will continue to support the LIVESTRONG Foundation by funding them directly as they continue their work serving and improving outcomes for people facing cancer.”

“We are proud of the collective efforts between Nike and the LIVESTRONG Foundation to raise more than $100 million to help people with cancer, distributing 87 million LIVESTRONG wristbands and serving and improving health outcomes for more than 2.5 million people with free cancer support services, programs, tools and resources,” Nike said.

LIVESTRONG responded with its own online statement saying: “The LIVESTRONG Foundation is deeply grateful to Nike not only for the time and resources it invested in helping us improve the lives of people affected by cancer today, but also the creative drive it brought to our nine-year partnership.

“While the Foundation created and owns the LIVESTRONG brand, Nike shone a spotlight on the spirit of courage and resilience it represents.

“With its iconic yellow LIVESTRONG wristband, the Foundation has become a symbol of hope and inspiration around the world.”

Created in 1997 by cancer survivor Lance Armstrong, the Foundation began distancing itself from the recently disgraced cyclist by changing its name and branding to LIVESTRONG.

https://probonoaustralia.com.au/news/2012/10/cyclist-armstrong-stands-downs-cancer-nfp

The organisation admits that it also anticipated moves by major corporations such as Nike to withdraw their support.

“This news will prompt some to jump to negative conclusions about the Foundation’s future. We see things quite differently. We expected and planned for changes like this and are therefore in a good position to adjust swiftly and move forward with our patient-focused work,” the statement said.

“Because of our sound fiscal health, the Foundation is well-positioned to continue to grow our free services for cancer patients and survivors that improve quality of life and access to care. Because of our excellent governance and quality of service, the Foundation remains one of the most highly-rated and effective non-profits in the United States.

“Change, while sometimes hard, also brings opportunity. We are always eager to partner with organisations that are genuinely committed to our mission. Constant innovation and relentless determination on behalf of people facing cancer today are what drive us and we take that spirit to heart during this time of change for our organisation.”

The full statement can be read at: http://mediaroom.livestrong.org/press-releases/statement-from-the-livestrong-foundation-1021137